The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) was urging the Federal Parliament parties to agree on reforms for the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act last week.
CEO Warren Pearce says AMEC has been seeking reforms to this act for “as long as anyone can remember”.
“It was an important and necessary environmental reform for its time, but it quickly led to major duplication between state and federal approvals process, which has cost industry and our economy dearly,” Pearce says.
“We especially need the parties of government, Labor, Liberal, and National, to work together to find an acceptable compromise, and deliver Australia a balanced and fit for purpose environmental protection framework.”
Environment Minister Murray Watt says it was the government’s intent to pass reforms last week, just needing the support of the Coalition or the Greens.
The government secured an agreement with the Greens party on 27 November 2025, allowing reforms to the EPBC Act.
“The package of major environmental reforms will deliver better environmental outcomes and a more efficient and streamlined assessment and approvals process for industry,” the AMEC CEO adds.
“AMEC has specifically focused on critical final amendments to the unacceptable impacts criteria, which have been addressed in the deal between Labor and the Greens, and further amendments to stop work orders, and the continuation of existing approval pathways are also welcome.”
AMEC is a national association representing more than 575 member companies from around Australia. Mining.com.au is an associate member of AMEC.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
