In a significant move for environmental governance, the Australian parliament has passed sweeping reforms to its national environmental laws. The overhaul of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act represents a major step toward securing the nation's natural heritage for future generations.
A Watershed Moment for Environmental Governance
The successful passage of these reforms during the final sitting week of 2025 demonstrates that ambitious legislative change remains achievable even in challenging political climates. As noted by Dr Ken Henry, former treasury secretary and chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, this achievement powerfully confirms that democratic governance is alive and well in Australia.
The updated legislation addresses what had been widely recognised as an 'ugly policy mess' following multiple reviews, including the Samuel review delivered over five years ago. These reports consistently highlighted systemic failures in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
Key Components of the Environmental Reforms
The reformed EPBC Act introduces several critical measures designed to strengthen environmental safeguards while supporting economic transition. Central to the changes is the establishment of clear national standards that define unacceptable environmental impacts, providing certainty for all stakeholders.
The legislation also creates an independent national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure integrity in administration of the laws. Notably, the reforms eliminate the controversial exemption for native forests, which represent some of Australia's most biodiverse landscapes.
Perhaps most significantly, the legislation provides long-overdue protection for Australia's forests, described as 'the lungs of the Earth, a lifeboat against climate change, a filter against sentiment destroying the Great Barrier Reef and a haven for wildlife'.
Economic and Environmental Foundations for the Future
These reforms acknowledge a fundamental shift in understanding the relationship between economic progress and environmental health. For centuries, development has been pursued at the expense of natural systems, but the amended legislation recognises that environmental integrity underpins all future economic and social progress.
The package supports the transition to a net-zero economy by streamlining environmental planning decisions and reducing administrative complexity that had previously undermined productivity. It also establishes frameworks for regional planning that enable collaboration between different levels of government, local communities, and First Nations custodians.
As Dr Henry emphasised, this legislative achievement represents an unprecedented bequest to future generations of Australians, acknowledging that without rebuilding natural capital, continued economic and social advancement cannot be secured.
