We need to ensure developments are in the right places, and that they truly minimise the impacts on Australia’s most irreplaceable and special nature. The Standard is not fit for this purpose in its current form.
ALCA has submitted two key recommendations:
Revert to the original outcomes-based assessment of impacts on nature – as contained within the first draft MNES Standard – rather than adopt a ‘principle-based’ approach. The currently proposed model is a drastically undermines the integrity of the entire Standard and any confidence that it will deliver reasonable environmental outcomes.
In addition, we recommend that the Government further improve other integrity requirements in the Standard. Despite some positive amendments, the current language in the Standard still reflects an elastic, ‘low bar’ approach to integrity.
