"State governments could be given expanded powers to make decisions on some fossil fuel developments under Labor's proposed overhaul of environment law, prompting shock and anger from community-based conservation organisations that fear nature protection would be weakened. The Albanese government plans to introduce its planned changes to the national law the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act to parliament later this week, and has been briefing interest groups on its plans."
"The federal government has had explicit responsibility for decisions on fossil fuel developments that affect water resources since 2013, when the Gillard Labor government introduced what is known as the water trigger at the behest of the independent MP Tony Windsor. Thirteen environment organisations including groups based in Darwin, central Australia, the Kimberley and far north Queensland criticised the proposed change to the water trigger, and the government's plan to use the law to sign bilateral agreements with the states to streamline environmental decision-making."
The Albanese government intends to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and will introduce the changes to parliament. Extracts of proposed legislation allow state and territory governments with federal accreditation to make decisions on large coalmining and unconventional gas projects that affect groundwater reserves or waterways. The federal government has held responsibility for decisions affecting water since 2013 through the water trigger. Thirteen environment organisations, including groups in Darwin, central Australia, the Kimberley and far north Queensland, criticised the proposed change and plans for bilateral agreements. Critics warn the changes could return decisions to jurisdictions with weakened conservation protections and weak lobbying rules.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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