Albanese announces ALP re-commitment to EPA via different model, but concerns remain

Media is reporting that the Prime Minister has announced his government would, if re-elected, again pursue the formation of an Environmental Protection Authority. However, the Prime Minister said they would not pursue the “same model” of EPA his government proposed, but did not legislate, last year.

The announcement comes a week after the PM oversaw brazen amendments to weaken Australia’s nature law—in breach of the Albanese government’s previous commitments to strengthen them.

The Wilderness Society has long called for a federal EPA that is truly independent and accountable to the public, and that has both assessment and compliance functions. This is crucial to establishing a system of environmental governance that is based on science and environmental protection, and that enables a fair say for the public in environmental decision-making.

While a commitment to establish an EPA is positive, this is a re-commitment to a policy the PM had a key hand in undermining, in both the November 2024 and February 2025 parliamentary sittings. The commitment to publicly consult on the model is welcome, and in stark contrast to the lack of transparency that surrounded last week’s amendment to weaken the EPBC Act. It is critical that the public has a fair say in decisions about Australia’s world-class environment.

Sam Szoke-Burke, Biodiversity Policy and Campaign Manager for the Wilderness Society, said, “Actions speak louder than words. While a re-commitment to establishing an EPA may sound promising on paper, it comes with few details and a week after the Albanese government teamed up with the coalition to brazenly weaken environment laws. Government after government has neglected Australia’s unique environment, which is in crisis and in need of politicians who value it and will work for its protection. The overwhelming majority of Australians want stronger nature protections. That means decisions based on science and the public good, and not undermined by political pressure and vested interests.”