The Federal Government has committed more than $45 million to fast-track environmental approvals, in a move aimed at reducing duplication and accelerating project timelines across the mining sector.
Announced in a joint release by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt, the funding will support new bilateral agreements with states and territories under reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
The agreements will allow state and territory governments to undertake environmental assessments and approvals on behalf of the Commonwealth, streamlining processes that currently require proponents to navigate parallel systems.
The Prime Minister said the reforms are designed to balance environmental protection with economic productivity.
“The landmark reforms we passed late last year are vital to protect our environment and to boost productivity in our economy,” Albanese said.
“We strongly encourage state and territory governments to step up and sign up to a new bilateral agreement, to deliver a system that cuts red tape and duplication, and delivers environmental laws that are clear and consistent.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the funding would help deliver faster decision-making without compromising environmental safeguards.
“The government is committed to delivering stronger environmental protections and faster decision-making,” Watt said.
“The best way to speed that up is for state and territory governments to sign up to a new and improved bilateral agreement, and this funding will ensure we can enter better and more enduring agreements sooner.
“We’re deeply committed to ensuring our national environmental laws are fit for purpose, and we expect state and territory governments to work with us to achieve this important outcome.”
MCA chief executive officer (CEO) Tania Constable said regulatory duplication has long slowed project development, with companies often required to submit the same information to both federal and state authorities through separate processes.
“The Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies listed regulatory duplication as the number one investment deterrent facing Australian mining companies in 2024,” Constable said.
“So this funding to fast-track bilateral agreements with states and territories will help create a more efficient process.”
“Given these agreements are underpinned by national environmental standards currently being finalised, it’s crucial that the government engage more deeply with both industry and the states and territories to ensure these standards are practical, evidence-based and can be broadly applied across jurisdictions,” she said.
The new framework will be overseen by the National Environmental Protection Agency, set to commence on July 1, with all bilateral agreements subject to its assurance.