The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended approval of the Valhalla Gas Exploration Appraisal Program, a major fracking project that could result in 20 exploration and appraisal wells being drilled in the Canning Basin in the state’s northwest. The EPA’s report is open for a public appeal period, which closes on 10 February 2026. This […]
Read More… from Public appeals against Valhalla fracking plan close soon
The Wilderness Society (TWS) has asked the national consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), to investigate whether hardware giant Bunnings has made false or misleading environmental claims about the timber it sells. TWS alleges in a letter to the ACCC prepared by EDO [1] that Bunnings may have made—and may be continuing to make—misleading and/or false representations to consumers about its timber […]
Read More… from Greenwashing complaint lodged against Bunnings over timber supply claims
Strong National Environmental Standards are the backbone of a reformed EPBC Act, according to the recommendations from the latest independent review of Australia’s federal environment laws by Professor Graeme Samuel (Samuel Review). Have Your Say on critical environmental protection requirements The federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is accepting submissions on two draft Standards now until 5pm 30 January 2025. […]
Read More… from Two National Environmental Standards now open for comment – Have your say!
The reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) have now passed, with Royal Assent being given on 1 December 2025. But there is still significant work to do to ensure the new framework is as strong as possible: A suite of National Environmental Standards needs to be drafted, regulatory […]
The NSW Parliament has passed major changes to the state’s planning system, with significant amendments to the Environment Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) and other legislation to take effect once commencement dates for the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Act 2025 (Amendment Act) are proclaimed. EDO is concerned the Amendment Act […]
The EPBC Act reforms passed by the ALP and Greens contain several very significant improvements and constitute a strong foundation upon which to build, according to the Environmental Defenders Office. “The changes ushered through the parliament today are the most significant enhancements in federal environmental protections in more than a generation,” EDO Deputy Director Rachel […]
Read More… from Historic law reforms provide foundation we can work with for nature
At the start of the final parliamentary sitting week for 2025, there were three options for national environmental law reform. As we said to the inquiry hearing in Canberra: “This parliament could fail to pass legislation and leave us with the failed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) for another five or 10 […]
Read More… from Historic environment reforms: What happened in parliament and what comes next?
You may have heard that the Albanese Government is eager to have the reforms to federal environment laws passed as quickly as possible. While the due date for submissions to the Senate Inquiry into the Bills is 5 December, we recommend getting submissions in as soon as you can to have the best chance of […]
This updated analysis assesses how the EPBC Bills stack up against the Samuel Review recommendations; examines the newly released national standard for matters of national environmental significance; and identifies key issues that need to be addressed in the Senate and inquiry to ensure the amendment package delivers for nature, community and climate. What happened in […]
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Authorised by Joanna Shulman, Environmental Defenders Office Ltd, Suite 8.02 Level 8, 6 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000 • ABN: 72 002 880 864
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EDO recognises the traditional owners and custodians of the land, seas and rivers of Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past and present, and aspire to learn from traditional knowledge and customs so that, together, we can protect our environment and cultural heritage through law.
