AAFCS Submission to the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025: Strengthening Equity, Participation and Environmental Protection in Australia’s New Environmental Laws
Asian Australians for Climate Solutions (AAFCS) is proud to announce that we have formally submitted our recommendations to the Senate Environment and Communications Committee’s inquiry into the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and six related Bills.
This submission reflects the voices, values, and lived experiences of multicultural communities who are often under-represented in environmental policy. It also reflects our commitment to a future where environmental protection is equitable, participatory, grounded in Indigenous knowledge, and centred on the wellbeing of all people and ecosystems.
Why AAFCS Engaged in This Inquiry
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) is Australia’s foundational environmental law. The Government’s proposed 2025 reforms aim to modernise the system by introducing National Environmental Standards, a “net gain” framework, and updated assessment and approval processes.
However, strong laws require strong safeguards. As an organisation advancing climate justice and inclusion, AAFCS considered it essential to respond to the Bill and highlight where the reforms fall short in protecting vulnerable communities, First Nations knowledge systems, and Australia’s biodiversity.
Our submission examines the Bill through three core lenses:
1. Equitable participation for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities
2. Strengthened and legally binding Indigenous engagement and decision-making
3. Clear, enforceable protections for conservation and biodiversity
As Australia undertakes one of the most significant environmental law reforms in decades, it is essential that communities, policymakers, and partners engage with the depth and diversity of perspectives shaping this process.
We invite you to read the full AAFCS submission to understand our detailed analysis, proposed amendments, and evidence-informed recommendations that aim to strengthen equity, participation, and environmental protection across the reformed EPBC framework.
📄 Read the full submission here
Your engagement matters.
Whether you are a community advocate, policymaker, academic, or concerned citizen, we encourage you to:
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Share the submission with your networks
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Engage in upcoming consultations
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Advocate for stronger inclusion of multicultural and First Nations voices
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Support reforms that deliver real, measurable outcomes for biodiversity and climate resilience
Together, we can help shape an environmental protection system that is fair, future-focused, and rooted in justice.
Acknowledgement
AAFCS extends sincere appreciation to Srishty Pareek for her valuable contribution to the development of this submission.
Srishty brings a strong interdisciplinary background across environmental management, chemistry, zoology, and sustainability engagement. Her experience in policy research, community engagement, and environmental education has meaningfully strengthened the analytical work behind this submission. We are grateful for her commitment, insight, and her passion for advancing effective and inclusive environmental action.
Connect with Srishty here.
For media or partnership inquiries relating to this submission, please contact AAFCS at ann.liao@aafcs.au