The Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Sussan Ley MP recently wrote to Professor Samuel, thanking him for extending the timeframe for submissions (see media statement here) and asking that the EPBC Act Review considers the context and implications of the bushfires on Australia’s environment and heritage.
On Friday 21 February, Professor Samuel met with the Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel to discuss the impact of bushfires on the Australian environment and how the EPBC Act could better support recovery. Professor Samuel heard about the panel’s work identifying species, ecological communities and heritage areas most affected by the fires, and the immediate and longer-term activities that are needed to support their recovery. More information about the panel and their important work is available here.
Professor Samuel has also received a detailed briefing from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment on their work aggregating national level data on the extent and impacts of the fire. This work is a key source of information underpinning the advice of the Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel. Professor Samuel has received an update from The Nature Conservancy on the activities they are undertaking to support investment in the recovery of native species impacted by the bushfires.