Morrison governmentâs environment watchdog a âtoothless tigerâ
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Experts warn the Morrison governmentâs proposed environmental approvals watchdog lacks the necessary powers to fix ongoing failures in the major project approval system.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley lodged a bill with Parliament on Thursday to hand the Commonwealthâs powers under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to state governments, to make the assessment system for developers more efficient.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley.
Credit:Alex Ellinghausen.
Ms Leyâs bill also proposed a set of national standards to regulate the statesâ performance, which would be overseen by a new assurance commissioner to ensure âthe highest national environmental standards are met, regardless of who approves a projectâ.
Morrison government s environment watchdog a toothless tiger
brisbanetimes.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brisbanetimes.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Morrison government s environment watchdog a toothless tiger
smh.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from smh.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A tough test of the Morrison governmentâs environment credentials looms after a major report on national conservation laws called for urgent reforms to prevent further extinction of Australiaâs wildlife.
Former competition watchdog Graeme Samuel handed down his final report from his review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act on Thursday afternoon and highlighted the situation facing the government.
âTo shy away from the fundamental reforms recommended by this review is to accept the continued decline of our iconic places and the extinction of our most threatened plants, animals and ecosystems,â he said in the reportâs introduction.