The new Biodiversity Conservation Act 2015 passed through Parliament yesterday and will replace the out-dated Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.
CME chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said the new legislation represents a significant step forward in modernising biodiversity laws in Western Australia.
“The new legislation significantly strengthens penalties for harming native species, but also provides more streamlined biodiversity conservation approvals by better integrating with other key related legislation,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
“It demonstrates the protection of the State’s significant biodiversity assets does not need to be at the expense of timely and efficient approvals.
“With contemporary biodiversity conservation laws now enacted in WA, the Federal Parliament should get down to business in legislating for the delegation of Commonwealth environmental approvals through the states and territories.”
