26 allied bodies propose Environment Protection Reform Bill amendments

A call for amendments and the passage of the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 has been put forward by an alliance of 26 industry groups representing Australia’s businesses, miners, farmers and the investment communities.

In a submission to the minister and shadow minister for the environment and water of Australia, Murray Watt and Angie Bell, 26 groups including CPA Australia, Corporate Tax Association, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Business Council Australia (BCA), and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, clarified necessary amendments the bill needed before it was passed by parliament.

The joint bodies said that without making the necessary amendments, there was a risk of establishing a system that was even slower and more complex than the present system, without the clarity and certainty for investment.

As previously reported by Accounting Times, the bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on 30 October in a move to create stronger environmental protection and restoration, efficient and robust project approvals and greater accountability and transparency in environmental decision making.

Though the bill was widely welcomed, upon its introduction to parliament, ACCI and BCA expressed that the bill had “missed the mark” in various key areas, which needed to be executed perfectly to make sure they created a difference for businesses.

The 26 allied bodies proposed seven key changes to the bill, which they deemed essential for its success once passed by parliament.

These reforms included addressing unacceptable impacts, clarification of the power of the EPA, ensuring social and economic factors were appropriately considered by retaining accountability and transparency, guaranteeing faster approvals and one state accreditation at a minimum.

Other amendments to the proposed legislation included maintaining existing assessment approaches, providing flexibility around the new sunset period for non-controlled actions, as well as noting the importance of supporting emissions reduction, ensuring emissions disclosures were not considered as part of the project assessment process and relying on existing reporting requirements.

“With the amendments outlined, these environmental protection reforms represent a powerful opportunity to ensure Australia has a modern, effective, and efficient environmental approvals system that supports both strong environmental outcomes and continued economic growth,” the bodies said.

“Australia needs a reformed environmental approvals framework that delivers clarity, confidence, and faster decision-making. Under the current regime, lengthy and uncertain environmental approval processes are holding back investments, job creation, and the delivery of essential projects in energy, infrastructure and resources.”

The bodies noted their various proposed amendments to the Bill would deliver a net benefit to business and the economy, as well as a net benefit for the environment, while avoiding a new layer of complexity.

“Australia’s prosperity depends on an environmental approvals system that is efficient, trusted and enables investment. With these amendments, this legislation will achieve strong environmental protection while still supporting sustained economic growth.”

“We need to see key changes to the current draft of the Environment Protection Reform Bill to ensure rapid delivery of the housing, energy and critical minerals projects our country needs.”