Submission—Environmental Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six related bills
On 24 November 2025, the Academy made a submission on the Environmental Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six related bills.
Download submission (PDF, 316KB)
The Academy recommends the Bills be amended to:
- establish clear, legislated mechanisms that embed scientific advice into decision-making, including in relation to biodiversity offsets
- remove damaging exemptions including forestry, cumulative land clearing and continuous use pathways to improve the strength and impact of the Bills, particularly placing conditions on ministerial discretionary powers.
- establish independent governance boards for the Environment Protection Agency and Environment Information Australia and legislate their expert advisory committees with clear functions under each
- legislate clear definitions of key terms and tests in the legislation with quantifiable criteria, supported by independent scientific assessment, to reduce interpretive discretion and improve clarity over required outcomes.
