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CANBERRA — Australia's center-left Labor government introduced sweeping environmental legislation into parliament Thursday that seeks to resolve a quarter-century political stalemate over how to protect the nation's unique biodiversity while maintaining its position as a global resources powerhouse.

Environment Minister Murray Watt presented the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 at the National Press Club in Canberra, holding aloft the substantial legislative package while declaring the reforms represent a "once in a generation opportunity" to modernize laws that have become obstacles to both conservation and economic development.

"Environmental law reform is long overdue, and we have the best opportunity right now to pass a modern, balanced set of laws that are firmly in the national interest," Watt told assembled media and stakeholders. "These vital changes have been waiting five years for delivery, and we have seen our environment going backwards, and businesses losing time and money."

The comprehensive reform package, formally introduced to the House of Representatives by Leader of the House Tony Burke, arrives at a critical juncture for Australia's economy and environment. The nation faces simultaneous pressures from a severe housing shortage, an urgent transition to renewable energy, expanding critical minerals production to counter Chinese market dominance, and accelerating biodiversity decline documented in successive State of the Environment reports.

At the heart of the government's pitch is a stark economic argument: Australia's environmental approval system has become a productivity anchor dragging on the national economy.

Government analysis projects the reforms could deliver up to A$6.9 billion annually in economic benefits by accelerating decisions on major projects, a figure that has captured the attention of business groups frustrated by lengthy approval processes.

Typical environmental approval times have more than doubled over the past two decades, now exceeding two years for projects requiring assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the federal law governing projects with potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance.

For a resources-dependent economy like Australia's, these delays carry substantial costs. Australia ranks among the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, thermal and metallurgical coal, iron ore, and increasingly, critical minerals essential for global clean energy transitions. The government has committed to working with allies including the United States to expand production of lithium, rare earths, and other strategic minerals to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Simultaneously, Australia confronts an acute housing crisis, with major cities experiencing severe shortages driving property prices and rents to record highs. The government has set ambitious targets for new housing construction that require expedited approval processes for residential developments.

The renewable energy sector, essential to Australia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, has experienced significant project approval delays. Clean Energy Council CEO Jackie Trad characterized the bill as a step in the right direction, noting that renewable energy project approval times have blown out in recent years.

The reform journey began in earnest on October 30, 2020, when Professor Graeme Samuel AC delivered his comprehensive independent review of the EPBC Act to then-Environment Minister Sussan Ley. The Samuel Review concluded unequivocally that federal environmental laws were failing to protect Australia's environment while simultaneously imposing unnecessary burdens on business and development.

Samuel's findings painted a troubling picture: environmental decline was accelerating despite — or in some cases because of — the existing regulatory framework. The review recommended a fundamental overhaul centered on clear environmental standards, devolved decision-making to properly resourced state and territory governments, and a strong independent national regulator.

The Albanese government, elected in May 2022, initially promised action on EPBC reform ahead of the 2025 federal election. However, earlier efforts to pass "Nature Positive" legislation stalled in parliament in February 2025 after the government struggled to secure crossbench support, particularly from senators representing Western Australia where mining interests dominate the economy.

Following Labor's re-election in May 2025, newly appointed Environment Minister Murray Watt — known within Labor as a political "fixer" adept at negotiating difficult policy compromises — embarked on an intensive consultation process. Watt held more than 40 meetings, roundtables and forums with environment, resources, energy, property and other business groups over a three-month period, seeking to build sufficient consensus for legislative passage.

The Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 represents a comprehensive restructuring of Australia's federal environmental governance. Its key elements include:

Institutional Architecture:

The legislation establishes a National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) as Australia's first independent federal environmental regulator. The new agency will assume responsibility for compliance monitoring and enforcement, environmental data collection, and providing expert advice on project assessments.

However, a contentious political compromise retains final approval authority with the Environment Minister rather than transferring it to the independent agency head. Opposition environment spokesperson Angie Bell........

© International Business Times