Submission on the Exposure draft of the National Environmental Standard (Data and Information) 2026

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Environmental Defenders Office welcomes the opportunity to comment on the exposure draft of the National Environmental Standard (Data and Information) 2026. EDO supports a National Environmental Standard for Data and Information. It has a key role to play in ensuring environmental decision making is underpinned by robust data and information.  EDO generally supports the Objective, Outcomes and Principles set out in the draft Data and Information Standard. However, we are concerned that certain provisions in the Standard undermine the Objective, Outcomes and Principles and will mean that the Standard will not be effective in driving better data and information. These problematic provisions should be removed. Our submission also recommends ways in which the Objective, Outcomes and Principles could be strengthened to ensure robust standards for data and information.