The first major review in a decade of Australia’s central piece of national environmental law may seem, at first glance, to be simply of passing business interest. But in a world of growing environmental and business change, the review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act will play a significant role across a wide range of sectors, from agriculture to mining and infrastructure.

The average approval time for a major project referred under the EPBC Act at present is estimated at 3½ years. Cutting these approval times could save business more than $300 million a year and ensure greater protection for the environment in the process.