Meeting with the Federal Minister for Environment and Water

Jun 30, 2026 | Biodiversity

Paul and Robin Gale-Baker were invited to meet Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt on 17 June by Kate Thwaites, Member for Jagajaga. Minister Watt was visiting Banyule in relation to a storm water program that will feed and raise the water level in the billabongs on Banyule Flats.

In the 40 minute meeting, Minister Watt spoke about the updating of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act1999 (EPBC Act). The Government seeks to focus on the big picture in relation to threatened species, wetlands, the Great Barrier Reef etc. The main points we noted were:

  • The EPBC will require States to uphold national standards.
  • Bioregional and bilateral agreements will allow States to assess proposals against State and Federal laws at the same time which will reduce red tape.
  • Forests and agriculture will NOT be exempt from the EPBC.
  • Standards will apply to ensure native forestry will be managed sustainably.
  • Environment Information Australia (EIA) is bing beefed up as the repository of much better environmental data than currently available and will take on the job of cumulatively building data.
  • There will be speeding up of approvals for large renewable projects.
  • There will be speeding up of electrification including vehicle emission reduction.
  • The new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  will have stronger powers to enforce laws and will be able to prosecute law-breakers without ministerial approval.
  • Changes in legislation to mitigate environmental damage will require use of offsets only when they result in a net gain not a net loss to the environment. 
  • The phrase ‘Avoid, mitigate, restore’ was a constant theme. 

Minister Watt also spoke of his view, one not shared by us or the 3 other community group participants present, that there needs to be a balance between business and environmental interests. While we understand the big picture view which will prevent piecemeal decisions and maintain biodiversity corridors, as environmentalists we would want to see a greater weighting toward environment.