Introduction
On January 17, 2017, the Victorian Government (Government)
released its response to the Independent Inquiry (Inquiry) into the
Environment Protection Authority (EPA). In the main, the reform
proposals put forward by the Inquiry were strongly endorsed by the
Government, with 40 of the 48 Inquiry recommendations fully
supported, 7 recommendations supported in principle and 1
recommendation supported in part. Details of the recommendations
can be found in our
earlier update.
The EPA's objective, principles and functions
The Government has supported the recommendation that an overhaul
of the Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act) is
necessary to deliver a modernised and fit for purpose legislative
framework for environment protection in Victoria. Rather than
establish a separate Act to set out the EPA's objective,
functions and governance structure, as suggested by the Inquiry,
the Government has elected to legislate the recommended
establishment
