Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I move the amendment as circulated in my name:

(1) Page 13 (after line 24), after clause 20, insert:

20A Publication of reasons

If a registrable decision is published on the register of registrable decisions, the reasons for the decision must also be published on the register.

My amendment to this bill continues the theme of transparency, this time for the new NEPA. Under this bill, the NEPA will pay a central role in approving, assessing and enforcing environmental decisions. These decisions will help shape the health of our environment and the credibility of the new system. Yet, as the bill stands, the NEPA is only required to publish notice of a decision, not the reasoning behind it. Earlier, I spoke about my amendment to the EPBC bill, which would require the environment minister to publish a statement of reasons for decisions made under the act. This amendment mirrors that change. If NEPA is to be the trusted independent body that the community expects, its decisions must be clear, consistent and explainable. My amendment would require the agency to publish a short statement of reasons for each significant decision, particularly any approval, rejection or enforcement.

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