Environmental Bulletin – October 2021

WA – Response to submissions on mining amendment Bill released

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has released its Response to feedback from stakeholders on proposed amendments to the Mining Act 1978. Some key changes are outlined in the Response document, including a change from the name of ‘low impact activity’ to ‘Eligible Mining Activity’ to avoid conflict with proposed changes from the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill, among other things.

View The Streamlining Bill consultation feedback here

Australia – Amendments to strengthen biosecurity risk management proposed

The Australian Government is proposing amendments to the Biosecurity Act 2015 to strengthen the management of biosecurity risks posed by pests and diseases entering or establishing in Australia. The proposed amendments would also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Act and increase various penalties.

Read the explanatory memorandum here 

View the joint media release here for more information. 

TAS – Independent review of Tasmania’s Climate Change Act released

The TAS Government has announced that the final report of an independent review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act has been tabled. The report makes several recommendations which include legislating a more ambitious emissions reduction target with net zero emissions by 2030, developing principles to guide climate action, making the development of a Climate Action Plan a legislative requirement, and requiring 5-yearly statewide climate risk assessments, among other things.

Amendments are expected to be tabled in Parliament this year, and work is currently underway to develop the next whole-of-government action plan, which will build on the themes and actions from Climate Action 21.

 Read the Tasmanian Premier’s press release here.