Australia's main mining lobby is concerned about stronger environmental regulations. 

The Federal Government is setting up a new national Environmental Protection Agency to act as a “tough cop on the beat”, giving it the power to impose legally binding standards across all environmental decisions.

The government says it will allow states to take on powers of mining approval, but says they must still comply with the new stronger national standards. 

The Minerals Council of Australia is concerned about the inclusion of mining approvals in the new regime.

The lobby claims this could slow investment in new projects, including biodiversity conservation initiatives.

MCA chief executive Tania Constable says Australia needs to attract investment in minerals development.

“Less complex, efficient and timely approval processes for industry will be key to providing the certainty to invest and creating a framework for supporting biodiversity conservation,” she said.

“Instead, the Federal Government has gone beyond its election commitments by proposing to outsource critical decision making on environmental approvals to an unelected, unaccountable approvals body.

“This significant policy departure will reduce ministerial accountability and increases uncertainty for industry.

“Environmental approvals require assessing environmental, social and economic and national interest matters for which a minister should be accountable.”

She said the mining sector is committed to the preservation of Australia’s environment.

The lobby allegedly supports some of the reforms laid out before the election, which are designed to improve outcomes for both the environment and business while supporting sustainable development.

“The MCA supports reforms to streamline regulation, enabled through regional planning and the accreditation of state and territory assessments and decision-making,” Ms Constable said.

“Providing conservation payments in environmental offsets, outcomes-based approval requirements and improved environmental data are all also welcome as are promises to streamline nuclear action approvals.

“The details of proposed changes will need to be carefully developed in consultation with stakeholders to avoid inadvertent impacts. Business was already concerned about surprise workplace relations changes and speculation about increased taxation since the election, and further unexpected restraints on investment will be counterproductive.

“The minerals industry is committed to working constructively in this process to ensure changes are practical and deliver for both the environment and business.”