News
Final report of the independent review of the EPBC Act
On 30 October 2009, Dr Allan Hawke presented his final report for the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) — The Australian Environment Act: Report of the Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 — to the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
The Minister tabled the Report in Parliament, as required by section 522A of the Act, on 21 December 2009.
The aim of the Report is to review the performance of the Act and, consistent with the objective of protecting the environment and biological diversity and maintain ecological processes, to recommend reforms that:
- promote the sustainability of Australia's economic development
- reduce and simplify the regulatory burden
- ensure activities under the Act represent the most efficient and effective ways of achieving desired environmental outcomes, and
- are based on an effective federal arrangement.
The Report addresses a broad range of issues across the entirety of the EPBC Act's operation. For more information see:
Update on the independent review of the EPBC Act
25 September 2009
Update report on the EPBC Act review, which details the process to date and future proceedings.
Interim Report comment period has now closed
4 August 2009
The period for making written comments in response to the Interim Report of the Independent review of the EPBC Act has now closed. The period for making comments closed on 3 August 2009. View comments.
Release of interim report
29 June 2009
The Interim report of the EPBC Act review outlines the major themes raised in public submissions, the consultation process and the Senate committee inquiry. The report is open for public comment. The period for comment closes on Monday 3 August 2009.
Update on the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
27 March 2009
An update report on the EPBC Act review, which details the process to date and future proceedings, is now available.
Senate inquiry into the operation of the EPBC Act
25 March 2009
The independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 will consider the findings and recommendations of the Senate Standing Committee on the Environment, Communication and the Art's inquiry into the operation of the EPBC Act.
Further information about the Senate standing committee inquiry
Close of submission period
22 December 2008
The period for making a written submission to the Independent review of the EPBC Act has now closed. Submissions closed on Friday 19 December 2008.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: independent review announced
31 October 2008
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts has announced the establishment of an independent review of the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation - the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This will be the first review of the Act since it commenced on 16 July 2000. Dr Allan Hawke will lead the review with the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts providing secretariat support.
The review will assess the operation of the Act and the extent to which it has achieved its objectives. The review's final report will be provided to the Minister by the end of October 2009.
The discussion paper has been release and public submissions are invited. Interested parties are invited to register their interest to receive notification of events and publications.
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