The purpose of this bill is to repeal the current standing provision (section 487) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). This section currently allows both individuals and groups to challenge decisions made under the EPBC Act. An organisation can establish standing by showing that they have engaged in activities for ‘protection or conservation of, or research into, the environment’ within the previous two years, and that the objects or purposes of the organisation are environmental protection.
The effect of repealing this provision would be to remove standing for environmental or community organisations or individuals seeking judicial review of decisions made under the EPBC Act.
View Submission to the Senate Inquiry into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Standing) Bill 2015 (PDF, 415KB)