[Greens-Media] Greens congratulate NSW Government on pollution law reform -calls for EPA to be adequately resourced

[Peter Stahel]

Greens congratulate NSW Government for pollution law reform 
-        Calls for new EPA to be adequately resourced

Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has congratulated the NSW Government for today's package of reforms to pollution laws and says the Greens are looking forward to working with the government to ensure these and further changes are implemented quickly.

"It's excellent the government has responded quickly to strengthen notification requirements to 'immediate' as the Greens bill would have done. Re-establishing the Environmental Protection Authority as an independent body is also welcome but it needs to be adequately resourced to undertake monitoring and enforcement," said Ms Faehrmann.

"Without increased funding to monitor polluting industry, the community can't have any confidence incidents like the Orica hexavalent chromium spill won't occur again.

"The Greens will now closely examine the O'Reilly Report and work with the government to find ways of strengthening laws over the longer term. 

"Despite there still being some way to go before our pollution laws fully protect communities and the environment, I want to congratulate the government for moving quickly with these reforms.

"Hopefully the political grandstanding over Orica can now end. The Greens are looking forward to the Parliamentary Inquiry and the government's audit that will provide further insight and recommendations to protect our environment and communities from pollution," said Ms Faehrmann.

Ms Faehrmann is holding a doorstop at 2pm at the back of NSW Parliament, Sydney.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727