This week we joined 130 environment and justice advocacy groups to sign a joint statement, created by the Lock The Gate Alliance to urgently call on the Australian Parliament to reject the Albanese government’s proposed changes to national environment laws. The statement will be delivered to members of the government and will be made available to the media and the Senate inquiry into the Bill.
The reform package, as it currently stands, takes Australia backwards on environmental protection and community rights and interests. Environmental Justice Australia (EJA) has released a Scorecard showing how the reform package stacks up overall. EJA’s legal experts have analysed the 1500 page draft reform package and independently analysed the Albanese Government’s plans against what’s really needed to protect nature and tackle climate damage. Don’t forget to scroll down to read the EJA’s detailed analysis across key focus areas provided within the scorecard. The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) also provides an independent analysis assessing how the EPBC Bills stack up against the Samuel Review recommendations. These reviews agree that the reform package will enable the fast-tracking of mining and fracking. It will create sweeping ministerial power to override environmental protections. If it passes, the public and the environment will be significantly worse off and the mining industry will be in the fast-lane risking enormous consequences for Australia’s environment, communities and the country’s contribution to global warming.
Get ready to write your submission to the Senate Inquiry!
A Senate Inquiry is inviting public submissions between now and 5 December 2025. Lock the Gate created a guide to support quick and easy submission writing. EJA will also released a toolkit, including a detailed guide to help you write submissions. We encourage you to join EJA’s legal experts for a webinar on Monday 10 November at 6.30pm AEDT to learn more about the good, the bad, the ugly in this reform package – and how you can write an impactful submission.