Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 732 standing in my name in the terms circulated.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

(1) That the Senate notes that:

(a) the Final Report of the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is due to be presented to the Federal Government in October 2020; and

(b) the EPBC Act states that the Final Report of the Independent Review of the EPBC Act must be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment within fifteen sitting days of the Minister receiving the report.

(2) That consideration of the proposed introduction of any government bill to amend the EPBC Act be deferred until:

(a) the next sitting day after the Final Report has been tabled.

(b) the next sitting day after the tabling of Interim National Environmental Standards that have been endorsed by the full Consultation Group being chaired by Professor Graeme Samuel.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is an irresponsible motion that stands in the way of a bipartisan national cabinet decision agreed by all states and territories. Moving towards a single-touch approvals process is a key reform that will assist with economic recovery post COVID and save industry over $426 million a year in regulatory costs by reducing duplication. The single-touch model will deliver greater certainty without reducing environmental protection.

An honourable senator: Oh, really?

Yes.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 732 be agreed to.