PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian resources sector has welcomed the passing of new state-based biodiversity conservation laws, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) saying the new legislation represents a significant step forward in modernising biodiversity laws in the state.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said on Wednesday that the state government had grasped the opportunity to replace outdated and deficient legislation with a more contemporary, robust Act that ensured accountable and effective governance of biodiversity conservation.

"Every provision in this new legislation is superior to the inadequate and outdated Wildlife Conservation Act from 1950.”

Under the old Act, people attempting to smuggle native fauna out of Western Australia faced a maximum fine of A$4 000 to A$10 000 for animals that can be worth more than A$100 000 each overseas. The new Act has increased the maximum penalties to up to A$500 000 to provide a real deterrent to those considering serious wildlife crimes.

The new Act has enhanced special protection for whales, dugong and dolphins, and also enables listing as critical habitat, areas of land or water that are critical to the survival of a threatened species or community.

Jacob said that there was also increased public scrutiny of Ministerial decisions on listing native species and improved Ministerial accountability measures, particularly in relation to decisions that may result in extinction, which now must be approved by both Houses of Parliament. 

“These decisions can currently be made without this scrutiny,” he added.

CME CEO Reg Howard-Smith said the new legislation significantly strengthened penalties for harming native species, but also provided more streamlined biodiversity conservation approvals by better integrating with other key related legislation.

“It demonstrates the protection of the state’s significant biodiversity assets does not need to be at the expense of timely and efficient approvals.

“With contemporary biodiversity conservation laws now enacted in Western Australia, the Federal Parliament should get down to business in legislating for the delegation of Commonwealth environmental approvals through the states and territories.”