Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) has sought community views (particularly those of environment NGOs), in relation to the Business Advisory Forum (BAF) proposal for approval of bilateral agreements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). There will be further opportunities for public input as the reform progresses. The details of meetings to date are set out below.

Stakeholder feedback at these meetings has been consistent. Environment groups maintain their opposition to the reform, while business groups are generally supportive. To date public feedback on the draft standards has been minimal.

(2) PM&C met with the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to prepare for the Business Advisory Forum on 12 April 2012. The meetings were convened to discuss business priorities for discussion at the BAF, which in turn informed the April 2012 BAF agenda.

(3) The following are independent reports that address inefficiencies and duplication in Australia's environmental regulatory framework:

(4) No.

(5) Yes. See the Independent review of the EPBC Act.