ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY: Independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

On 31 October 2008 the Australian Government Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts commissioned an independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. Section 522A of the EPBC Act requires it to be reviewed every 10 years from its commencement.

This is the first review of the EPBC Act since its commencement on 16 July 2000. The review will assess the operation of the EPBC Act and the extent to which its objects have been achieved.

Community participation in the review is encouraged. There will be opportunities for public input over the course of the review. The first stage of this public input process has commenced and written submissions are now invited. The closing date for submissions is 19 December 2008. For further information visit the review website.