Timeframe for the EPBC Act review
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) is Australia’s main legislative framework for environmental protection. Every 10 years, the Act mandates that an independent review be undertaken to investigate whether it is achieving its objectives: namely, to protect Australia’s environment and biodiversity, enhance protection of important natural and cultural spaces and recognise and promote the role of Indigenous peoples in conservation and Indigenous knowledges. With millions of hectares of threatened species habitat cleared since the commencement of the Act, no mention of climate change in its provisions and continued reluctance to accept the sovereign rights of First Nations peoples, we think there is cause to argue that it isn’t, and that we need massive legislative reform.
The next independent review of the EPBC Act is happening now, in 2020. Between now and April, all of us have a chance to write a submission to the independent reviewer to help inform the final recommendations that they will provide to the Australian government in October. The Department of the Environment and Energy, Scott Morrison and the whole cabinet, will then have to respond.
Following the bushfire devastation of this summer, more people than ever are engaging with the environment as a political issue. And we are furious with our government for standing by and even actively pursuing environmental laws and policies which contribute to disaster. This is an obvious opportunity for us to demonstrate to the government that environmental issues are at the top of the consciousness of their voters, and they will have difficulty continuing to ignore us.
So, over the coming weeks, we will be sharing a bunch of information to help you understand the EPBC Act - What is it? What are its contents? And what are the main criticisms levied at the Act from experts? Following that, we aim to help get as many of your voices heard through the submissions process as possible. What’s your vision for a better, safer, fairer and healthier system? What do you want to see protected under new laws? What does your community need to carry on in perpetuity through the generations?
Watch this space for ongoing updates, and in the meantime, check out the government website established for the public to keep track of the review process.