The Albanese Government is supercharging the transition to faster, more streamlined project assessments and approvals under our historic environmental law reforms.

The Government will provide more than $45 million over 4 years to progress bilateral agreements with states and territories that will reduce duplication.

The investment will encourage state and territory governments to prioritise progressing and signing new assessment and approval bilateral agreements with the Commonwealth, that take advantage of the recent reforms. This will ensure proponents can benefit sooner from quicker, more efficient environmental approvals.

State and territory governments who sign a new bilateral assessment or approval agreement with the Australian Government will be empowered to conduct assessments or approvals on the Commonwealth’s behalf, subject to new National Environmental Standards.

This will fast-track new energy, housing and resources projects by combining federal and state assessments and approvals, reducing duplication in the assessment and approval process.

Strong environmental safeguards will remain in place, with projects required to meet the Commonwealth’s environmental standards, and all bilateral agreements will be subject to assurance by the new National Environmental Protection Agency, which commences on July 1 this year.

More information about the Government’s Environment Protection reforms is available at: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The landmark reforms we passed late last year are vital to protect our environment and to boost productivity in our economy.

“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.

“This investment will ensure the full benefits of the reforms can be realised as soon as possible.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering stronger environmental protections and faster decision-making.

“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.”