The latest budget reveals the federal government’s environmental plans. Image: Anthony Albanese/Facebook
By ERIN WALKER
The Albanese Government is planning to rewrite old environmental laws to better protect the environment in making clear and fast decisions.
In December last year, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek confirmed that the government was intending to establish a new Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce conservation laws.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget that the over the next four years, there will be $121 Million dedicated to establishing a ‘transparent and independent’ EPA.
“Tough Cop On The Beat.”
Plibersek called the EPA a “tough cop on the beat”, as it intends to transform the existing system of environmental approvals, improve standards, speed up decision making and improve the trust and integrity of the system, whilst “overseeing environmental assessments, deciding approvals and conditions and ensuring conditions are being followed.”
The new system will hold onto elements of the former prime minister Scott Morrison’s former proposals in allowing states and territories to make environmental decisions under national laws once accredited after application.
They will however be subject to compliance with the established standards and with the EPA in an assurance role.
What Was In The Budget
Some of the Budget’s other environmental investment specifics include $262.3 million to support our Commonwealth national parks, $45.2 million for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, and $439.2 million to support programs that repair World Heritage properties.
$163.4 million to ensure the Australian Institute of Marine Science can continue to provide world-leading scientific marine research and protect our oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef.
“Nowhere Near Enough.”
However, Australia’s leading conservation organisation, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has voiced its concerns.
WWF’s Chief Conservation Officer Rachel Lowry has agreed that the budget has provided a “nudge in the right direction” as they are pleased to see significant funding going into the EPA that will enforce Australia’s Environment Laws.
However, Lowry fears the additional funding is “nowhere near enough to counter the unparalleled impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Scientists estimate that $1.69 billion is needed per year to recover Australia’s threatened species and land. Something that Lowry stressed was increasing over the years.
“The number of threatened species has increased by 8% since 2016 and we’re losing vast stretches of forests and habitat every year. Our wildlife cannot afford to wait for another year and another budget,” she said.
