Historic reform of Environmental Protection Laws passed
Media Release Date: 27 November 2025
The Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related Bills have been passed by the Australian Parliament, marking a significant update to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The package of Bills targets three key reform pillars, namely, stronger environmental protection and restoration; more efficient and robust project approvals; and greater accountability and transparency in environmental decision making.
Passage of the Bills was enabled by agreement reached between the Albanese Government and the Greens.
SACOME made a submission on behalf of members and supported the Minerals Council of Australia’s advocacy on the legislative package. Successful amendments advanced by the MCA and supported by SACOME include:
SACOME sought amendments regarding the operation of the ‘nuclear trigger’, expressing concerns that the proposed reforms to the nuclear trigger may not operate as intended and result in increased duplication and unintended capture of commodities like copper, rare earth and minerals sands, which are unrelated to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
SACOME’s focus will now turn to advocating for the timely implementation of bilateral agreements to accredit South Australian assessments and approval processes under the EPBC Act to enable faster approval timeframes for the South Australian resources sector.
SACOME highlights the need for bipartisan support of the resources sector both here in South Australia and at a Federal level if we are to achieve the intended outcomes of the reform process.
SACOME remains committed to working collaboratively with the Australian and South Australian Governments as new EPBC Act arrangements are implemented.
Quotes from Nicola McFarlane
“SACOME’s focus will now turn to advocating for the timely implementation of bilateral agreements to accredit South Australian assessments and approval processes under the EPBC Act to enable faster approval timeframes for the South Australian resources sector.
“SACOME remains committed to working collaboratively with the Australian and South Australian Governments as new EPBC Act arrangements are implemented and reiterates the importance of consistent, concerted effort to realising the growth of the South Australian resources sector and transformation of the state’s economy.
“This commitment is consistent with the shared vision of SACOME’s member companies and government for the accelerated advancement of the South Australian resources sector, attracting investment and delivering sustainable economic prosperity for SACOME’s members and the state.”
The Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related Bills have been passed by the Australian Parliament, marking a significant update to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The package of Bills targets three key reform pillars, namely, stronger environmental protection and restoration; more efficient and robust project approvals; and greater accountability and transparency in environmental decision making.
Passage of the Bills was enabled by agreement reached between the Albanese Government and the Greens.
SACOME made a submission on behalf of members and supported the Minerals Council of Australia’s advocacy on the legislative package. Successful amendments advanced by the MCA and supported by SACOME include:
- A simplified definition of unacceptable impacts – a critical new test where projects will either be rejected outright or move forward for detailed assessment.
- Environment Protection Orders will be limited to a maximum of 28 days; and
- The retention of some key existing approval pathways in relation to preliminary documentation – the most used pathway for resources projects.
SACOME sought amendments regarding the operation of the ‘nuclear trigger’, expressing concerns that the proposed reforms to the nuclear trigger may not operate as intended and result in increased duplication and unintended capture of commodities like copper, rare earth and minerals sands, which are unrelated to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
SACOME’s focus will now turn to advocating for the timely implementation of bilateral agreements to accredit South Australian assessments and approval processes under the EPBC Act to enable faster approval timeframes for the South Australian resources sector.
SACOME highlights the need for bipartisan support of the resources sector both here in South Australia and at a Federal level if we are to achieve the intended outcomes of the reform process.
SACOME remains committed to working collaboratively with the Australian and South Australian Governments as new EPBC Act arrangements are implemented.
Quotes from Nicola McFarlane
“SACOME’s focus will now turn to advocating for the timely implementation of bilateral agreements to accredit South Australian assessments and approval processes under the EPBC Act to enable faster approval timeframes for the South Australian resources sector.
“SACOME remains committed to working collaboratively with the Australian and South Australian Governments as new EPBC Act arrangements are implemented and reiterates the importance of consistent, concerted effort to realising the growth of the South Australian resources sector and transformation of the state’s economy.
“This commitment is consistent with the shared vision of SACOME’s member companies and government for the accelerated advancement of the South Australian resources sector, attracting investment and delivering sustainable economic prosperity for SACOME’s members and the state.”