❓ A parliamentary question regarding the impact of recent environmental red-tape reforms on Part IV environmental assessments, specifically focusing on timeframe reductions and appeals. The answer deflects credit for the reforms and provides limited data.
AnsweredQoN 924Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
PART IV ASSESSMENTS
924. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the recent and welcome
environmental red-tape reforms, which partially introduce reforms announced by
the Leader of the Liberal Party, Libby Mettam, MLA.
(1) Can the
minister indicate whether any analysis has been undertaken by the Environmental
Protection Authority or the Department of
Water and Environmental Regulation on the average reduction in timeframes resulting from parallel approvals to part IV applications under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(2) If yes to
(1), what is the expected average reduction in timeframes for part IV
applications?
(3) Can the
minister indicate how many applications in which the decision was to ''not
assess'' were then subject to an
appeal in 2024–25? That year is wrong. I apologise for that. It should
have been an earlier year . I will ask that next time.
(4) Given that
the Liberal Party reforms have been introduced, why did the minister not
announce moving part V appeals to the State
Administrative Tribunal, noting that was also a recommendation of the Vogel– McFerran
review—recommendation 36(c)?
PART IV ASSESSMENTS
924. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the recent and welcome
environmental red-tape reforms, which partially introduce reforms announced by
the Leader of the Liberal Party, Libby Mettam, MLA.
(1) Can the
minister indicate whether any analysis has been undertaken by the Environmental
Protection Authority or the Department of
Water and Environmental Regulation on the average reduction in timeframes resulting from parallel approvals to part IV applications under the
Environmental Protection Act 1986?
(2) If yes to
(1), what is the expected average reduction in timeframes for part IV
applications?
(3) Can the
minister indicate how many applications in which the decision was to ''not
assess'' were then subject to an
appeal in 2024–25? That year is wrong. I apologise for that. It should
have been an earlier year . I will ask that next time.
(4) Given that
the Liberal Party reforms have been introduced, why did the minister not
announce moving part V appeals to the State
Administrative Tribunal, noting that was also a recommendation of the Vogel– McFerran
review—recommendation 36(c)?
AnswerView source ↗
I think I thank the member for some
notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(2) The Leader of the Liberal Party did not announce
any reforms. The Leader of the Liberal Party reannounced a number of options
for reform already outlined in the Vogel–McFerran review, which was
commissioned by the Cook Labor government. The Liberal and National Parties did
nothing on environmental approvals reform during their time in government. This
is despite multiple reviews, including those led by the former Barnett
government —
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! Thank you, members. We will just have the answer to the question,
please.
Hon DARREN
WEST : Thank you, President, for your protection.
This is despite multiple reviews,
including those led by the former Barnett government, noting issues with overly
long and complex regulatory approvals processes in Western Australia.
Hon Donna Faragher : Are you
serious?
Hon DARREN WEST : Deadly,
member.
The answer continues —
A
timelier and coordinated approach across government, including effective
parallel decision-making, will deliver
more efficient approvals processes, reducing timeframes for projects requiring
multiagency approvals . The
Cook Labor government is proud to be the government to have addressed this
significant issue.
(3) In the 2024–25
financial year to date there have been no determinations to not assess a proposal.
(4) As per the
Vogel–McFerran review, the government continues to consider the merits
of moving part V appeals to the State Administrative Tribunal. Importantly, any
changes implemented must yield faster decision-making outcomes. Policy
consideration of this matter is ongoing.
notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1)–(2) The Leader of the Liberal Party did not announce
any reforms. The Leader of the Liberal Party reannounced a number of options
for reform already outlined in the Vogel–McFerran review, which was
commissioned by the Cook Labor government. The Liberal and National Parties did
nothing on environmental approvals reform during their time in government. This
is despite multiple reviews, including those led by the former Barnett
government —
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT :
Order! Thank you, members. We will just have the answer to the question,
please.
Hon DARREN
WEST : Thank you, President, for your protection.
This is despite multiple reviews,
including those led by the former Barnett government, noting issues with overly
long and complex regulatory approvals processes in Western Australia.
Hon Donna Faragher : Are you
serious?
Hon DARREN WEST : Deadly,
member.
The answer continues —
A
timelier and coordinated approach across government, including effective
parallel decision-making, will deliver
more efficient approvals processes, reducing timeframes for projects requiring
multiagency approvals . The
Cook Labor government is proud to be the government to have addressed this
significant issue.
(3) In the 2024–25
financial year to date there have been no determinations to not assess a proposal.
(4) As per the
Vogel–McFerran review, the government continues to consider the merits
of moving part V appeals to the State Administrative Tribunal. Importantly, any
changes implemented must yield faster decision-making outcomes. Policy
consideration of this matter is ongoing.
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