Reform amendments to the EPBC Act

Question

1. Is the Government undertaking any assessment of the impacts of the recent EPBC amendments on farmers, productivity, or food security? a) If not, why not? 2. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is invited by the Minister for Environment to comment on a referral where a proposed action may impact on matters administered by the Minister for Agriculture a) is that correct? ? b) Have there been any requests to the Minister for Agriculture since the reforms to the Act in November last year? ? i: What guidance materials are being provided to the Minister for Agriculture to assist with any comments? ii: Will there be economic, productivity, food security and social considerations by the Minister for Agriculture? c. The Department of Environment has indicated that this Department has been reviewing the guidance material to assist farmers understand their obligations - is that correct? d) What have been the main comments on the guidance material to date? e)Can a copy of the materials being commented on and the comments from this Department be provided? f)Is the Department confident that farmers will be able to navigate the systems, tools and guidance material easily? g) Is the mapping of the matters of national environmental significance, such as threatened species, at an appropriate granular level to assist farmers understanding and avoiding having to do self-assessments where not required? h) Agforce has estimated the cost of $184,000 as an indicative ongoing regulatory cost per business for referral and annual compliance - is the department aware of this cost? i) Agforce has also estimated a $16.2 billion per year cost imposed on Australian agriculture. Given the Department's 'outcome statement' is to have more 'productive' and 'profitable' agriculture - is this a concern and what action is the Department going to undertake? j) The Department's 'outcome statement' is also to have more sustainable, productive, internationally competitive and profitable agricultural industries through policies and initiatives the promote better resource management practices, innovation, self reliance and improved access to international markets i: How is the department ensuring innovative practices are considered in the continuing use provisions?

Answer

Please see PDF attachment.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000541.pdf (opens in a new tab)