Validation of electronic authorities and criminal offence for providing false information for nature conservation permits

Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Private Member's Bill

Assembly

Introduced by: Andrew Powell (LNP)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Environmental authorities issued electronically under the EP Act remain valid.
Authorities issued by automated systems under the Nature Conservation Act are now lawful from their original date.
It is a criminal offence to give false, misleading or incomplete information when applying for a Nature Conservation Act authority.
Registered suitable operators get automatic approval for standard environmental authority applications if they meet eligibility criteria.
The decision-maker must approve mining lease environmental authorities but can change the conditions based on public submissions.
The Minister can decide which authorities are issued or renewed automatically via electronic systems.
Electronic systems cannot be used for certain authorities unless the chief executive approves it.
The government can still issue penalty infringement notices for old environmental protection orders and clean-up notices.

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