Publication
EPBC Act reforms imminent: Setting the scene for major changes
For the second year in a row, environmental reforms are at the top of the national legislative agenda.
Commonwealth issues new imported food controls
Australian Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce, has introduced new orders designed to complete the Government’s changes to the Imported Food Control Regulations (Regulations) in respect of recognised foreign government certification.
In March 2015, the Government amended the Regulations to allow the Minister to make orders requiring certain ‘risk foods’ to be inspected and/or analysed under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. Risk foods are required to be inspected each time they cross the Australian border. The Imported Food Control Order (Order) was amended by the new Imported Food Control Amendment (Recognised Foreign Government Certificates and Other Measures) Order (Amending Order).
The Amending Order requires that raw milk cheese be covered by a recognised foreign government certificate. This was previously required only in respect of New Zealand originating cheese. There are a number of other products which were, and still are, required to be covered by recognised foreign government certificates. Recognised foreign government certificates are agreed upon at a national level by Australia, and are currently in force for 3 jurisdictions – Thailand (issued by the Department of Fisheries for certain fish, molluscs and crustaceans); France (issued by the Department of Agriculture for Roquefort cheese); and Canada (issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for certain fish and molluscs).
The Amending Order also removes from the operation of the Imported Food Scheme certain pig products that originate in New Zealand.
Recent publications
Publication
It passed! Unpacking the key changes arising from the Environment Legislation Amendment Act 2025
A range of significant reforms to NSW’s key environmental laws has just been passed by the NSW Parliament, and our responses to the FAQ’s about the Environmental Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (the Amendment Act) are set out below:
Publication
Promoting investment in Western Australia: An overview of the State Development Bill
The State Development Bill 2025 (WA) (the Bill) proposes to provide the State Development Minister (currently the Hon Roger Cook MLA, Premier) and the Coordinator General (CG) (an existing office with a new statutory role) with a range of powers to coordinate and fast-track approvals for strategically important developments, all with the aim of securing investment in areas the WA Government considers are key to WA’s future. If passed, the key reforms in the Bill will come into force on a date to be proclaimed.
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