New national nature laws and threats to community rights in WA
Dear NRPG members and interested,
For your information.
Kind regards,
Steve Gates
Secretary, NRPG Buscarers
Your October newsletter
 Insight October 2025Welcome to Insight, the Environmental Defenders Office monthly newsletter that keeps you updated about our ongoing work in the legal fight to protect our unique and precious environment and communities across the Australia-Pacific region.  Long-awaited EPBC reforms fall short of fixing a failing ActPositive elements contained in the EPBC Act reform bills, introduced to parliament today, are undermined by extensive exemptions and opportunities for ministerial discretion. This reform moment must be about fixing the failures of the past.There are positive elements — like stronger penalties, the introduction of National Environmental Standards, and restrictions on approving unacceptable impacts. But these bills still leave major loopholes, wide discretion, and no requirement to assess or control greenhouse gas emissions or largescale deforestation — both significant threats to our environment and communities. Without stronger accountability, removal of exemptions allowing unsustainable impacts, and clear limits on discretion to ensure the laws can be upheld, these bills may not deliver the environmental protections Australians expect and the environment desperately needs. The government promised stronger, fairer, more transparent nature laws. Parliament must now strengthen these bills to make that promise real — and finally give Australia the modern environmental protections it needs. Read more  Anti-democratic WA bill threatens nature and community rightsOn 10 September 2025, the State Development Bill 2025 (WA) was introduced into the Parliament of Western Australia. The bill proposes significant changes to the existing approach to the approval of major projects and the application of WA’s environment laws.There have been no known consultations with the public, experts or environmental groups throughout the drafting of the bill. We are not aware of any current formal opportunities to comment on the bill. Fundamentally, EDO’s view is that the bill should not proceed. The bill centralises too much power in the executive arm of government and creates serious risks of undermining the intended operation of WA laws and ultimately harming the environmental and community/cultural values of WA. One of our greatest concerns is that the bill would effectively give the executive arm of government the power to make their own laws up as they apply to different projects in WA – allowing the personal views of the government of the day to override established and democratically enshrined laws that exist to protect the WA community and environment. Read more  EDO celebrates 40 years of fighting for environmental justiceThe EDO team, our clients and supporters and legal professionals gathered last Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of the Environmental Defenders Office. This joyful event was held on Gadigal Country at the Sydney Town Hall and celebrated four decades of using the law to defend nature for our clients.Thank you to everyone who joined us on the night to celebrate this important milestone, and a heartfelt thanks to the many generous supporters who donated prizes for the silent auction and raffle fundraisers. We were delighted to have such a fantastic turnout and were uplifted by inspiring speeches from our current Chair, Brent Wallace, former Chair Dr Bronwyn Darlington and our new CEO, Jo Shulman. We’re now looking ahead to the next decade and beyond, building on our past success for a world where nature thrives.  Donate today and give nature a legal voiceDonate today and help drive landmark legal work for nature across Australia and the Pacific. Your donation provides flexible funding that powers our vital legal work. Donate today  Free seminars in Canberra on the right to a healthy environment in the ACT and planning laws in the ACT & protecting threatened speciesDon’t miss your chance to hear from our lawyers and Dr Penelope Mathew, ACT Human Rights Commissioner in Canberra next month. You’ll learn how the new right to a healthy environment operates, is recognised, can be used and enforced, and about the ACT Human Rights Commissioner’s proposed review of the effect of territory laws on this right under section 41 of the Human Rights Act. This event is hosted by Conservation Council ACT, and the ACT Human Rights Commission. Registration is free but required: Book tickets here. When: Monday 3 November, 5 – 6pm Where: Bar Lola at Verity Lane Market Precinct, Canberra Conservation Council ACT, and Legal Aid ACT are also hosting a free seminar on planning & threatened species laws in the ACT. Come along to our free seminar and find out: How ACT laws regulate planning and development, How development is assessed, How to comment on, or challenge, a proposed development or Territory Plan amendment, How to report a breach of the planning act, How nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act), and How to use the law to protect the environment. Featuring: Matt Whitting, Convenor of The Conservation Council ACT Region’s Biodiversity Working Group, and lawyers from Environmental Defenders Office. Registration is free but required: Book tickets here. When: Tuesday 4 November, 5:30 – 7:30pm Where: Legal Aid ACT, 2 Allsop Street, Canberra  Apply for free legal advice through our National Intake ServiceAs Australia’s largest not-for-profit environmental legal centre, we provide a critical service for people bravely standing up to save nature. Our lawyers work with communities every day, providing expert advice and informing people about their legal rights and opportunities under the law to protect the environment. Our specialist expertise helps people intervene early to prevent bad decisions, improve the law, and secure better outcomes for the environment. Last year, we had 936 enquiries through our national intake service from people across Australia seeking free legal advice about environmental matters. To seek legal help or ask for legal assistance, visit our online portal or email [email protected].  Leave a gift to EDO in your willLearn more about leaving a bequest and get in touch with EDO’s gifts in wills specialist. Learn more  Work with usDirector, First Nations ProgramWe’re seeking a First Nations leader with a big vision. Someone looking to make a difference in a crucial space, at a crucial time. You’re looking for an organisation with the courage to seek improvements to “the system” and a desire to serve First Nations communities. The First Nations program focusses on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in their advocacy to protect their Country and cultural heritage. This includes, but is not limited to, working for First Nations communities concerned about: their cultural heritage, protecting fresh water sources, fixing drinking water issues, accessing and looking after Country in a culturally appropriate way.Position description here. Applications close Friday, 31 October. Find out more about the role and apply here. Head of Philanthropy We are looking for an experienced manager to lead a high-performing philanthropy team. You are strategic and target-driven with excellent interpersonal and management skills. You have a proven track record of securing significant gifts and grants and are adept at managing relationships with important internal and external stakeholders. With exceptional emotional intelligence and a collaborative mindset, you will work closely with the legal, science, operations and wider Fundraising, Marketing and Communications teams to understand and communicate EDO’s impact. This role is perfect for someone passionate about making a meaningful impact and cultivating long-term donor support to advance EDO’s mission. Position description here. Applications close Sunday, 2 November. Find out more about the role and apply here.EDO submissionsSubmission to the Inquiry into the Planning (Territory Priority Project) Amendment Bill 2025 (ACT) Submission on the ACT Nature Conservation Strategy Stage 2 Consultation Package Submission on the ACT Education Directorate Corporate Sponsorship Policy Discussion Paper Submission to the review of the Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT) Submission to the Inquiry into Historical development consents in NSW Briefing Note: Proposed Amendments under Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 EDO fact sheetsRight to a Healthy Environment in the ACT Aboriginal cultural heritage laws in VictoriaHave your sayReviewing the Gold Coast water plan (Qld) The new Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy (Qld) Next Iconic Walk (NIW) project (TAS)EDO in the newsHousing approval plan risks environment, corruption – AAP Legal experts warn housing reforms expose planning to corruption risks – The Australian NSW planning overhaul removes corruption and environment safeguards, legal experts say – ABC News Climate Integrity says ‘distorted research’ behind government policy – ABC News Crocodile made famous by Steve Irwin ‘wrongfully arrested’ and should be returned to wild, traditional owners say – The Guardian NSW’s fast-track planning laws could allow mines to be approved without environmental assessment – The Guardian The fight to free Old Faithful, the ‘majestic, wild crocodile’ made famous by Steve Irwin: ‘His place is back in the river’ – The Guardian    Donate todaySupporters like you power our legal work for the environment EDO recognises the traditional owners and custodians of the land, seas and rivers of Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders past and present, and aspire to learn from traditional knowledge and customs so that, together, we can protect our environment and cultural heritage through law. © 2025 EDO. All rights reserved. ABN 72 002 880 864 Visit edo.org.au |