News: law reform
Dr Phillipa McCormack on Ken Henry’s Call for Urgent Nature Law Reform
Dr Phillipa McCormack, Future Making Fellow at the Environment Institute, wrote about Ken Henry’s call for reform of Australia’s fragile environmental protection laws in The Conversation. In his speech to the National Press Club, Henry warned that Australia’s global reputation and its net zero commitments are at risk without urgent change. He described the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBCA) as “a misnomer if ever there was one” and condemned delays in reform.
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Learning fiery lessons for durable law reform: Recruiting now for a fully funded PhD project
This project will help to address a significant knowledge gap by examining what ‘better’ bushfire laws could look like in Australia. This PhD position is fully funded and includes a ‘top up’ stipend. Applications open until 30 July 2025 (or until position is filled). Candidate must commence by 30 September 2025.
Are we witnessing a major setback for Australia’s nature protection laws?
A new bill introduced to Parliament seeks to limit the federal government’s ability to reconsider past environmental approvals, even when new evidence shows harm. The move is tied to ongoing salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour, putting the endangered Maugean skate at further risk. Dr Phillipa C. McCormack, Environment Institute Future Making Fellow, explores the consequences in her piece for The Conversation, calling for urgent reform of Australia’s outdated environmental laws.
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