He said by not consulting conservation groups the report made a grave error by recommending the government remove the community’s right to appeal an EPA decision not to assess a project.
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The government accepted this recommendation which became a key feature of the reforms, but Tallentire said there was no evidence the appeal mechanism was being abused under current laws.
“I did contact the Conservation Council of WA by email but received no response. Other stakeholders responded promptly to a request to be consulted,” Vogel said.
“We were on an extremely tight deadline and I absolutely reject it was a ‘dereliction of duty’ not to continually follow up with the CCWA.
“It was made very clear to the CCWA that this was a review of the environmental assessment and approvals process commissioned by the WA government.
“How they juggle priorities is their business.”
When asked what other conservation groups were consulted Vogel said he had discussed the review with a senior member of the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
The Conservation Council of WA was undergoing a turbulent period of leadership change while the Vogel-McFerran review was taking place.
A spokesman for Environment Minister Reece Whitby also defended the review and reforms.
“These reforms in no way weaken WA’s environmental protection standards,” he said.
“Dr Paul Vogel and David McFerran met with a range of stakeholders while conducting their review of the state’s approvals systems, and their recommendations reflect a wide range of views canvassed during that process.
“Not every stakeholder will get exactly what they want from these reforms.”
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA said the reforms were necessary to streamline the state’s approvals processes and stem blowouts in timeframes and cost for major projects.
“The WA Government rightly acknowledged that the system wasn’t working. Tying industry in green tape doesn’t automatically mean better environmental outcomes,” CCI chief economist Aaron Morey said.
Despite his criticisms of his government’s own reforms Tallentire voted with his Labor colleagues to pass the bill.
He defended that decision saying there was no point dealing himself out of the debate at this stage.
“I want to be able to stay in the fold and argue the case and credit to my colleagues, they knew that I was going to be presenting a different position on things,” he said.
“It was something that they might not agree with me on or, dare I say it not fully understand, and so they were prepared to let me speak in the chamber on this…they couldn’t stop me either.”
McFerran was contacted for comment.
Source Agencies
