Another wonderful fact-based discussion (and lively chat room) about the future state of play in Environmental Protection in Australia with our subject matter experts.
“Australia’s natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The current environmental trajectory is unsustainable.”
This was the main finding of the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) led by Professor Graeme Samuel AC, released on 28, January 2021.
☝To date the Federal Government (that supported the review) has not acted on any of the 38 recommendations
☝It is reported that the Federal Government has tabled legislation to handover Federal environmental approval powers to State and Territory governments
Meanwhile, the Federal Court has found our Minister for the Environment, to owe a duty of care to Australia’s young people in relation to physical harm in the form of personal injury from climate change. And has successfully overseen the reversal on Unesco’s ‘in-danger’ rating of one of our most precious assets, the Great Barrier Reef.
Join us as ask our expert panel, what’s the future state of play in Environmental Protection by the current federal government and as citizens, don’t like it, what can we do to advocate?
Thank you to our panel:
Rachel Walmsley - Head of Policy & Law Reform at Environmental Defenders Office Rachel was a member of the Australian Panel of Experts in Environmental Law (APEEL) and of the Consultative group established by Prof Graeme Samuel for the EPBC Act review.
Basha Stasak - Nature Program Manager at Australian Conservation Foundation. Basha leads ACF's campaigns to protect and restore Australia's natural environment.
Gerard Early - Director Bird Life Australia - an extensive career in environmental and public sector issues has seen him advising the Commonwealth and State Governments, industry proponents and community groups on the processes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
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