Cuts to DCCEEW and impact on deforestation

Question

1. Given that the recent Budget does not appear to adequately address overall resourcing pressures within DCCEEW, how does the Government intend to ensure that EPBC Act reforms are fully implemented in line with their original intent to deliver outcomes for nature? 2. With plantation and native forestry set to fall under the EPBC Act from 1 July 2027, will DCCEEW have sufficient resourcing and capability to undertake the necessary compliance monitoring, environmental assessments and enforcement functions to effectively regulate deforestation under the new framework? 3. What additional funding or staffing uplift is planned to ensure these reforms are credible in practice?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000704.pdf (opens in a new tab)