Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, Environment Information Australia Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Customs Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Excise Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (General Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025
Mr BURKE (Watson—Minister for the Arts, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Leader of the House) (12:24): The government is not agreeing to the amendments, in terms of the amendment related to climate change, for the same reasons as I gave earlier in response to an amendment from the member for Bradfield.
With respect to the amendment on sheet 2, it seeks to further amend the commencement provisions to require the commencement arrangements to meet specific requirements. The requirement would be that they are 'consistent with the principle' that the amendments related to assessment pathways 'should take effect gradually' over three years. In the government's view, it is legally uncertain what 'take effect gradually' would mean, and adding this criterion to the instrument would potentially open a judicial review, which could frustrate the commencement of the bills.
That said, I respect the points that the member has put in making sure that the transition is done in a constructive way. The existing transitional rule-making power does provide the necessary flexibility for the government to work with stakeholders, as the member has suggested, and to apply a sensible transition period that provides certainty on when the new rules apply and to ensure that the benefits of the reforms for the environment and business are available in a timely manner.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Chesters ): The question is that the amendments moved by the member for Wentworth be agreed to.