Environment Protection Reform Consultation: Subordinate Legislation

The practical operation of the new framework for agriculture will be substantially determined by how the regulations, Rules, guidance materials, Rulings, Protection Statements, Registers, data arrangements, and compliance practices are designed and subsequently implemented. NFF has always championed reforms that provide clear, efficient, and more predictable decision-making while maintaining appropriate environmental protections. We remain concerned that the proposed Tranche 2 package has been substantially brought forward at speed. This is occurring before the full regulatory framework (i.e., National Environmental Standards) has been designed, road-tested, publicly consulted on as a consolidated item, or assessed for its cumulative impact on agriculture. This is despite previous indications and statements that later-2026 would be the relevant implementation horizon. Our comments, concerns, and recommendations as it relates to the proposed Tranche 2 package are addressed below.

The NFF’s full submission can be found here.