Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 30 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading
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2. Tuesday 4 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centered on the second reading of seven environmental reform bills, including the establishment of a National Environmental Protection Agency, based on the Samuel review. Labor members supported the reforms as necessary updates to modernize legislation and balance protection with economic efficiency, while the National Party opposed them due to concerns over regulatory burden and productivity. Independent and Greens members raised specific issues regarding loopholes, ministerial discretion, and insufficient scrutiny, with Independent member Nicolette Boele opposing the bills and another Independent moving an amendment for constructive engagement. The government maintained the urgency of the reforms, citing support from both industry and environmental groups, despite criticism of the rushed timeline.

   Outcome: The House proceeded to a division on the bills.

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3. Wednesday 5 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centered on the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six associated bills, with government members arguing the reforms were necessary to fix broken laws, streamline approvals, and implement Samuel review recommendations through a new independent agency. Opposition and crossbench members contended the legislation was rushed, overly complex, and created regulatory duplication that would harm industry and regional economies through excessive bureaucracy and high costs. The discussion highlighted tensions between environmental protection, economic productivity, and the speed of legislative passage, with the Prime Minister emphasizing the urgency of delivering on election promises. The debate concluded with the adjournment of the discussion.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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4. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate centred on amendments to the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related legislation. Independent members moved numerous amendments to strengthen environmental safeguards, including requiring transparency in offset reporting, banning fossil fuel projects from national interest exemptions, removing forestry exemptions, and integrating climate change considerations. The government, represented by Tony Burke, supported only one amendment regarding the publication of annual reports for the restoration contributions holder. All other amendments were rejected, with the government citing alignment with the Samuel review, the need to reduce duplication with state laws, and the existence of separate climate legislation. The amendments were put to the vote, with most failing and one passing.

   Outcome: Amendment 11 was passed; amendments 1 to 10, 12 to 15, and all other independent amendments were not passed.

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5. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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6. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned the second reading of a package of bills including the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, the National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, and various charge imposition bills. The sole speaker, Melissa Price, opposed the legislation, arguing it would increase bureaucracy, stifle investment, and harm the economy. She criticised the proposed environmental agency structure and specific provisions such as net gain requirements and emissions reporting. The debate concluded with the bills failing to pass on the first division but passing on the second.

   Outcome: The bills were not passed on the first division with 7 votes in favour and 65 against, but passed on the second division with 90 votes in favour and 44 against.

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7. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on amendments moved by Kate Chaney to mandate a biennial review of restoration charge calculations and require regulations to account for full restoration costs. Chaney argued that without these safeguards, offsets would remain underpriced and ineffective. Tony Burke opposed the amendments, stating that the government preferred a flexible approach using a new rulings power and a Restoration Contributions Holder to deliver strategic environmental benefits. The amendments were defeated in the first division, but the bill itself passed in the second division.

   Outcome: The amendments were defeated in division 39, while the bill passed in division 40.

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8. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading
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9. Thursday 6 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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10. Monday 24 November 2025 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated a suite of bills aimed at reforming Australia's environmental laws, centred on the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and the National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025. The legislation seeks to address findings from the 2020 Samuel Review by strengthening environmental protections, improving decision-making efficiency, and enhancing transparency through an independent regulator. The government argued that current laws are ineffective for both conservation and economic development, proposing measures such as national environmental standards, net gain offsets, and streamlined approval pathways. The debate concluded with the second reading of the bills being moved by the Minister for the Environment.

    Outcome: The second reading of the bills was moved by Katy Gallagher.

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11. Monday 24 November 2025 · Senate

    First Reading
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12. Thursday 27 November 2025 · Senate

    Limitation of Debate

    Senators debated a motion to limit debate on a package of seven environmental bills. Senator Pocock moved an amendment to refer the bills to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, which was defeated. Senator Roberts moved an amendment noting concerns about undefined standards and offsets, and calling for an adjournment until March 2026, which was also defeated. The limitation of debate motion itself passed, allowing the bills to proceed.

    Outcome: The limitation of debate motion was passed, while amendments to refer bills to committee or adjourn debate were defeated.

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13. Thursday 27 November 2025 · Senate

    In Committee

    The Senate considered amendments to the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and associated legislation during committee stage, focusing on a negotiated deal between the government and the Australian Greens. Key discussions involved removing exemptions for regional forestry agreements and coal or gas fast-tracking, while introducing a net gain test and establishing the National Environmental Protection Agency. Opposition members criticized the reforms as detrimental to workers and industries, whereas Greens members highlighted improved environmental protections despite concerns over transition timelines. Minister Watt defended the package as balanced, citing Professor Graeme Samuel's review and detailing safeguards for state agreements and funding mechanisms.

    Outcome: The transcript concluded at 18:30 with no final vote result recorded, and the remainder of the proceedings were to be published progressively.

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14. Thursday 27 November 2025 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated a package of environmental reform bills, including the establishment of a National Environmental Protection Agency and new standards. The Labor government and Australian Greens supported the legislation, citing improved protections for native forests and streamlined approvals for housing and renewable energy. The Coalition opposed the bills, arguing they would harm industries, increase costs, and were rushed through without adequate scrutiny. The Greens moved an amendment regarding First Nations consultation, which was noted but not passed as part of the main motion.

    Outcome: The bills were passed after the second reading debate.

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