Overview

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is introducing amendments to the EPBC Act to protect Tasmania's salmon farming industry from legal challenges, with parliamentary approval expected by March 26, 2025.
• The legislation prevents reconsideration of certain environmental approvals, sparking concerns from environmental groups about its potential to weaken protections for other industries like coal and gas.
• Environmental advocates and some Labor MPs criticize the bill, citing risks to the critically endangered Maugean skate, whose habitat in Macquarie Harbour is impacted by salmon farming operations.
• Labor MPs secured a commitment from the government to establish a federal Environment Protection Agency (EPA) if re-elected, following criticism over shelving the promise earlier in the term.
• The Coalition supports the bill, emphasizing job security in Tasmania, while environmental groups warn of long-term harm to Australia's environmental governance framework.