Webinar: Implementing effective independent EPAs in Australia
Channel: Environmental Defenders Office
Date: 2022-02-02

A number of states and territories are currently looking at changes to their EPAs and environmental departments, including Tasmania and Queensland. Changes to bring in more independence in environmental governance was also a key recommendation of the Samuels review of federal environmental laws. 

In response to these recent developments, EDO has prepared a report providing key recommendations for what strong, independent EPAs should look like to best protect the environment and human health, particularly for those most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. 

EDO has also prepared a sub-report specific to Queensland, to assist with public submissions to the consultation process open now.  

Read the report: https://www.edo.org.au/2022/01/28/new-report-implementing-effective-independent-environmental-protection-agencies-in-australia/

EDO hosted a panel discussion to further explore what strong environmental regulation by EPAs should involve, and why it is necessary to implement EPAs with a grounding in environmental justice and First Nations justice at national, state and territory levels for a healthy environment and healthy communities for all.  

PANEL SPEAKERS 

Dr Gerry Bates – Academic at the University of Sydney and former member of the Board of the NSW Environmental Protection Authority from 1998 to 2010 
Emma Garlett – Academic at Curtin Law School
The Honourable Alan Wilson QC – retired Queensland Environment Court Judge
Mollie O’Connor – Solicitor at EDO 

Chair: Revel Pointon – Managing Lawyer at EDO