Is the Northern Territory prepared for its new EPBC Act approval powers?

摘要

It is clear that there is much work to be done in terms of law reform in the Northern Territory before the Commonwealth Minister could be reasonably satisfied that any approval bilateral will meet the objects of the EBPC Act. It is also clear that significant law reform is needed in the Northern Territory to ensure that EPBC Act standards are upheld in the accreditation of Northern Territory environmental assessment processes. Law reform is far more desirable than the use of bilateral agreements to artificially increase Northern Territory environmental assessment standards. The timeframes provided in the MoU are tight and a flux of legislative amendments is likely in the short term to facilitate the move to a one-stop shop. It remains to be seen what legislative amendments the Northern Territory government will pursue and this space will be observed with interest over the coming months.