❓ Hon Ben Dawkins questions the independence of the EPA from ministerial influence, while the government asserts the EPA's independence is protected by the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
AnsweredQoN 1179Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AUTHORITY — MINISTERIAL CONDITIONS
1179. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to section 8 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the Environmental Protection Authority and the
chairperson of the EPA are not subject to formal ministerial direction?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that section 8 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 does
not preclude the EPA or the EPA chair being lobbied, pressured or influenced by
government ministers?
(3) If yes to
(2), is the minister satisfied that the EPA is able to be sufficiently
independent to make decisions to protect the environment?
(4) Will the Cook
Labor government propose changes to section 8 of the Environmental Protection
Act 1986 to ensure that government ministers cannot interfere with EPA
assessments and advice in the future?
AUTHORITY — MINISTERIAL CONDITIONS
1179. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to section 8 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1986.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the Environmental Protection Authority and the
chairperson of the EPA are not subject to formal ministerial direction?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that section 8 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 does
not preclude the EPA or the EPA chair being lobbied, pressured or influenced by
government ministers?
(3) If yes to
(2), is the minister satisfied that the EPA is able to be sufficiently
independent to make decisions to protect the environment?
(4) Will the Cook
Labor government propose changes to section 8 of the Environmental Protection
Act 1986 to ensure that government ministers cannot interfere with EPA
assessments and advice in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) The
Environmental Protection Authority is independent of government, and government
respects and values that independence. Board members, including the chair, are
not subject to direction by the Minister for Environment or other ministers of
cabinet.
(2)–(4) Section
8 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 states that neither the chair nor
the Environmental Protection Authority is subject to the direction of the
minister. This clarity confirms the Environmental Protection Authority's
independence from government and ensures that the Environmental Protection Authority can continue to make robust
recommendations regarding the protection of the Western Australian environment.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) The
Environmental Protection Authority is independent of government, and government
respects and values that independence. Board members, including the chair, are
not subject to direction by the Minister for Environment or other ministers of
cabinet.
(2)–(4) Section
8 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 states that neither the chair nor
the Environmental Protection Authority is subject to the direction of the
minister. This clarity confirms the Environmental Protection Authority's
independence from government and ensures that the Environmental Protection Authority can continue to make robust
recommendations regarding the protection of the Western Australian environment.
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