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Historic law reforms provide foundation we can work with for nature 

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 […]

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Historic environment reforms: What happened in parliament and what comes next?

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 […]

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EPBC Act reforms – Get your submission in!

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 […]

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EPBC Act reform update – Bills pass the House of Representatives and draft Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance released 

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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EPBC Act reforms make it to parliament – EDO’s first impressions  

On October 30, Bills were introduced into the House of Representatives to reform the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), create a National Environment Protection Agency and establish a charges and cost recovery framework.  In total, seven Bills have been introduced as part of the government’s reform package, with the three key reform […]

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Long-awaited EPBC reforms fall short of fixing a failing Act

Positive elements contained in the EPBC Act reform bills [1], introduced to parliament today, are undermined by extensive exemptions and opportunities for ministerial discretion, according to Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) analysis. “This reform moment must be about fixing the failures of the past,” said EDO Managing Lawyer (Policy and Law Reform) Revel Pointon. “There are positive […]

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Anti-democratic WA bill threatens nature and community rights

On 10 September 2025, the State Development Bill 2025 (WA) (the Bill) was introduced into the WA Parliament.1 The Bill proposes significant changes to the existing approach to the approval of major projects and the application of WA’s environment laws.   There have been no known consultations with the public, experts or environmental groups throughout the […]

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A critical moment for our national nature laws

Where the EPBC Act reforms are up to and what is needed to address Australia’s environmental crisis. Australia’s national environment law — the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) — is back on the table for reform. Environment Minister Murray Watt is moving quickly, and has committed to introducing, and possibly […]

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Update on NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025 

The NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Planning System Reforms) Bill 2025 was passed with amendments by the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday 16 October 2025.   It has now been introduced into the Legislative Council and debate on the Bill is expected to continue in the NSW Legislative Council next week (commencing Tuesday 21 October).  […]

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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

Postal Address:
PO Box R1105 Royal Exchange NSW 1225

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.