Report

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standing) Bill 2015

18 November 2015

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015
ISBN 978-1-76010-327-9

View the report as a single document - (PDF 364KB)

View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Committee membership (PDF 13KB)
Chapter 1 - Introduction (PDF 57KB)

Conduct of the inquiry
Purpose of the bill
Background to the bill
Consideration of the bill by other committees
Structure of report
Chapter 2 - Evidence in support of the repeal of section 487 (PDF 49KB)

Detriments to business certainty
Availability of other review processes
Availability of public engagement
Lack of clear substantial improvement in environmental outcomes
Continued protection of the environment
Chapter 3 - Evidence in support of the retention of section 487 (PDF 68KB)

Limited evidence of vexatious or frivolous litigation
The bill is not likely to achieve its purpose
Limiting access to justice
Maintenance of the rule of law
Reviews of extended standing
Retrospective application
Compliance with international legal obligations
Chapter 4 - Committee view (PDF 12B)
Labor Senators' dissenting report (PDF 62KB)
Australian Greens' Dissenting Report (PDF 52KB)

Our environment laws are already weak enough
Barriers to public enforcement are already significant
Expert advice supports strengthening public enforcement
Australians oppose this reckless attack
Our plan to strengthen Australia's national environment laws
Appendix 1 - Submissions and Additional Information received by the Committee (PDF 34KB)

Submissions
Additional information

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au

About this inquiry

The bill would repeal section 487 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (section 487 currently extends standing to seek judicial review of decisions to certain individuals, organisations and associations).