"Faster, more predictable environmental assessments are vital for Australia's economy and our environment – requiring both good rules and enduring political support – meaning the Coalition should engage to help deliver much-needed EPBC reform," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of national employer association Australian Industry Group, said today.
"Reforming the EPBC is a crucial puzzle piece to deliver the scale of investment Australia needs to support communities into the future, build more housing stock and meet our net zero ambitions.
"Australian Industry Group will today appear at the EPBC hearings on behalf of our members across the economy. The message to politicians, regardless of the side of the divide they come from, is simple – get it done.
"The Bill before Parliament has many positive elements, but perhaps the most important one is a single-touch process for assessing projects, rather than separate State and Federal processes.
"Even with the Bill's provisions, it will take further hard work to deliver credible State enforcement of new national standards and Federal and State Environment Ministers need to make that a priority.
"Any delay in this Bill will slow down these further stages of work.
"Broad political support is critical to ensure this reform will be enduring – which is the only way to give full confidence to unlock investment.
"The business community has raised important nuances as part of the consultation, relating to matters like the specificity of definitions or the transition from current assessment pathways to a new streamlined option – and we believe they can be addressed.
"The main game is to make assessments work better, so that things like housing and clean energy projects aren't stuck in a regulatory mire," Mr Willox said.
Read Australian Industry Group's submission to the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025
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