MYSTERIOUS: Graeme samuel - What They Never Told You

Environment rules promise protection but raise concerns

Tougher rules to protect Australia's environment have been welcomed by developers, but conservation groups say they fall short of the changes needed.

AAP · Aug 21

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Graeme Samuel on ‘doomsday’ attacks on the federal budget

This year’s federal budget has been the most controversial since the Abbott government’s 2014 budget, with Labor struggling to sell its new capital gains tax changes and crackdown on trusts.

The Conversation · Jun 3

Australia’s old environment laws were a box-ticking exercise. Sadly, the new ones could be too

For a quarter century, Australia’s environment laws were widely regarded as not fit for purpose. In 2020, a scathing review by Professor Graeme Samuel found the Environment Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act was ineffective and unfit for future environmental challenges.

The Conversation · May 27

Warning national interest exemption no friend to nature

The author of the review informing the federal government's nature law reforms has taken issue with the public interest override as open to power abuses.

AAP · Nov 14, 2025

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Murray Watt on the compromises to pass new environmental laws before Christmas

Finding the best balance between the environment and development is vital but often contested. Renewable energy projects, housing and mining approvals are all important, while Australia’s unique natural environment also requires defence.

The Conversation · Nov 13, 2025

Will Labor’s environment laws actually address Australia’s biodiversity crisis? Five reasons to be concerned

Experts say the proposed legislation is full of problems, including excessive ministerial discretion and relaxing like-for-like offset rules

The Guardian - AU · Nov 7, 2025

Australia must put politics aside and pass nature laws that benefit the economy and the environment. We owe it to our kids

There’s no such thing as a perfect legislative solution. It’s about finding one that’s workable – for the community, for the economy and for nature

The Guardian - AU · Nov 1, 2025

Labor’s environmental law overhaul: a little progress and a lot of compromise

The 25-year-old Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act has been repeatedly criticised for failing to stem Australia’s biodiversity decline. These national laws are meant to protect threatened species and scrutinise some developments over the damage done to ecosystems.

The Conversation · Oct 30, 2025

Environment minister could approve projects at odds with nature laws under Labor overhaul

New ‘national interest’ provision revealed as extracts of legislation circulated to stakeholders before bill introduced to parliament later this week

The Guardian - AU · Oct 27, 2025

As the Coalition shows its colours on nature, Labor faces a question: will it really protect Australia’s wildlife?

There are some decent elements in what Labor is proposing, but the overhaul could end up as tinkering rather than transformation

The Guardian - AU · Oct 24, 2025