13 May 2011
The Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has announced that the government does not expect to legislate any changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (“the EPBC Act”) until 2012.
This follows the “Hawke Review” carried out at the direction of the former Environment Minister, Peter Garrett. The Urban Taskforce expressed serious concern at the content of the Hawke Review’s final report when it was released at the end of 2009.
”I’ve made it clear now is the time to be discussing the full range of options on how to improve our national environmental law, both to better protect the environment and cut red tape for businesses,” Mr Burke said.
”These are complex reforms and I want to take time to talk them through in detail with community, industry and business groups.”
The Urban Taskforce sits on a round table, with other key industry groups, that regulary discusses the future of the EPBC Act with the minister.
More information is here.
