EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
(Issued under the Authority of the Minister for the Environment and Energy)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
Instrument under section 184(1)(a),184(1)(b) and 184(1)(c)
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) provides for the protection of the environment and conservation of biodiversity, including the protection and conservation of threatened species.
Section 178 of the Act provides for a list of threatened species (the List) separated into particular categories being, Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent.
Section 184 of the Act provides that the Minister may, by legislative instrument, amend the List to include an item in the List, delete an item from the List or, transfer an item from one category in the List to another category.
The process for making amendments to the List to include or transfer an item is set out in Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision AA of the Act. The relevant considerations for making amendments to the List to delete an item are set out in Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision A of the Act.
The purpose of this Instrument is to amend the List by:
- including two species in the Critically Endangered category, two species in the Endangered category, one species in the Vulnerable category
- transferring in the list two species from the Endangered category to the Critically Endangered category, two species from the Vulnerable category to the Endangered category
- deleting one species from the Endangered category and one species from the Vulnerable category.
Consultation
Consultation was undertaken before the Instrument was made, in accordance with the processes outlined in Part 13, Division 1, Subdivision AA of the Act.
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee):
- recommended the species for inclusion on the Finalised Priority Assessment List for the assessment period commencing either the 1 October 2015 or 1 October 2016, to which the minister agreed; and
- sought public comment on the species for at least 30 business days.
The Committee consulted parties with relevant expertise regarding their views, including:
- Relevant researchers from Australian universities
- Relevant state and territory governments
- Relevant non-government organisations.
The Committee prepared a written assessment of whether the nominated species were eligible for inclusion in the List. The written assessments and all comments received during the consultation period were provided to the Minister and considered in relation to the making of the Instrument.
This Instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003.
The Instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Authority: section 184(1)(a), 184(1)(b) and 184(1)(c) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Amendment to the list of threatened species under section 178 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (199)
This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Overview of the Legislative Instrument The purpose of this Instrument is to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 list of threatened species by including two species (Grevillea thelemanniana and Synaphea sp. Serpentine (G.R. Brand 103)) in the Critically Endangered category, two species (Austrostipa bronwenae and Synaphea sp. Pinjarra Plain (A.S. George 17182)) in the Endangered category, one species (Westralunio carteri) in the Vulnerable category, transferring in the list two species (Lasiorhinus krefftii and Zyzomys pedunculatus) from the Endangered category to the Critically Endangered category, transferring in the list two species (Atrichornis clamosus and Neochmia phaeton evangelinae) from the Vulnerable category to the Endangered category, deleting on species (Marianthus mollis) from the Endangered category and deleting on species (Lepidium catapycnon) from the Vulnerable category
These species are being included in list as they met the criteria for listing in these categories under the EPBC Act.
Human rights implications This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Conclusion This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
Minister for the Environment and Energy
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