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 […]
In late 2023, EDO filed proceedings in the Federal Court on behalf of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN). MLDRIN challenged a decision of the former Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to accredit the Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP). MLDRIN also challenged the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s recommendation that the Minister accredit […]
Read More… from EDO Case note: Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations v Commonwealth
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 […]
Read More… from EPBC Act reforms make it to parliament – EDO’s first impressions
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 […]
Read More… from Long-awaited EPBC reforms fall short of fixing a failing Act
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 […]
Read More… from Anti-democratic WA bill threatens nature and community rights
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 […]
Read More… from A critical moment for our national nature laws
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