Qld still waiting on its own EPA two years after first mooted

Internal documents reveal a key election promise by Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2020 has all but vanished, with Steven Miles yet to commit despite his eco-friendly first speech as premier.

Premier Steven Miles flanked by ministers last week. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Queensland is no closer to having an independent environmental watchdog, despite a government-ordered business case strongly calling for it to be done two years ago, internal documents prepared for cabinet have revealed.

And Premier Steven Miles, who made the fight to protect Queensland’s environment central to his first speech in the top job, is yet to promise to do it if re-elected next month.

Labor, in the lead up to the 2020 election, promised to investigate and consult on the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency, which other states have, to protect the environment, create jobs and support economic growth.

This work was undertaken and completed in July 2022, with the business case strongly endorsing the establishment of the EPA Queensland as a statutory authority, with an independent board (appointed by cabinet) and an independent CEO (appointed by the board).

Internal documents prepared for cabinet in the second half of 2022, obtained by The Courier-Mail, called on cabinet to approve the new body as it would ensure environmental regulation is predictable and not subject to actual or perceived political interference.

This would in turn boost both investor and community confidence.

Politically it would bolster the government’s environmental credentials and appeal to inner-metro voters in particular, according to the internal documents prepared in the government’s ministerial wing.

It would also wedge the LNP as an added bonus, and be a low-cost, low-effort method to secure increased support from the conservation sector leading into the 2024 election.

Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman

The cabinet proposal indicated the watchdog could be in place by July 2024, but the detailed pitch failed to get on to the near weekly cabinet agenda under former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman said he was disappointed the proposal had not progressed under Ms Palaszczuk, but also indicated Mr Miles had looked at it since taking on the top job and deemed there wasn’t enough time to get it done properly before the election.

“I accept that,” Mr Copeman said.

“But we are continuing to call on the government to make this an election commitment if re-elected.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Miles said he remained committed to doing what mattered to protect Queensland’s natural environment, but stopped short of promising to set up an independent watchdog if re-elected.

“Since becoming premier, there has been significant environmental reform including legislating the 75 per cent emissions reductions targets and expanding Queensland’s protected areas,” the spokeswoman said.

According to the premier’s office the feedback received on the independent watchdog was still under consideration by the government.

The state has also signalled the federal government’s moves to set up a national environment watchdog — reforms currently stalled in the Senate — were being considered.