Higher Penalties for Pollution and Pesticide Misuse
Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Topics
environmental penalties environmental protection land pollution pesticide use pollution control waste management
Introduced by: The Hon Jihad Dib MP (ALP); The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Natalie Ward LIB
“I lead for the Opposition in debate on the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024. I acknowledge and thank the Minister for introducing the bill, which the Coalition is proud to contribute to. I welcome her foreshadowing introducing further legislation in this space.”
Sue Higginson GRN
“On behalf of The Greens, I indicate our strong support for the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024. I have wanted to read a title just like that my entire working life.”
Chris Rath LIB
“I was not intending to speak in debate on the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024, but I have been called upon by the Hon. Natalie Ward. It is important to remember that the NSW Environment Protection Authority [EPA] was established by a Liberal government, the Greiner‑Fahey Government, in 1991.”
Bob Nanva ALP
“I am pleased to speak in support of the Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024. We have heard how increased penalties form a crucial centrepiece of the bill; however, it does more to crack down on environmental offenders and protect the public.”
Penny Sharpe ALP
“It is a really good day when across the Parliament there is support for stronger regulation and protection of our environment. I thank all members who contributed to this debate on the Environment Protection Legislation (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Amendment Bill 2024: the Hon. Natalie Ward, Ms Sue Higginson, the Hon. Bob Nanva and the Hon. Chris Rath.”
News articles and press releases
Environment Protection Legislation Amendment (Stronger Regulation and Penalties) Bill 2024
Ms TRISH DOYLE, Member for Blue Mountains — 2024-03-14
While those investigations are still underway, it is clear that there are gaps in EPA legislation that need to be addressed. These gaps have been present for many years; the asbestos situation across New South Wales has made them starker. The Government went to the election with the promise of an EPA "with teeth". This is our first step in strengthening environmental regulation. This bill amends several environment protection Acts to strengthen environment legislation and ensure the EPA has the right frameworks and powers to deter environmental crimes and respond to pollution incidents. This includes increased penalties, new investigation powers and recall powers, improved protections for the public including a "name and shame" provision, and new offences and penalties to tackle illegal dumping. These changes will ensure that our EPA remains a best‑practice environmental regulator.