Cook said it was important to recognise that “while the EPA gives independent advice to government,it is not independent of government”.
“A statement of intent will ensure the EPA recognises the government’s priorities and policy objectives,” he said.
However,EPA chair Matthew Tonts said the current Environmental Protection Act stipulated that neither the authority nor its chair were subject to the direction of the environment minister.
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“For now,the EPA remains independent of government,” he said.
Conservation Council of WA president Richard Yin said the independence of the EPA needed to be increased,not curtailed.
“These reforms will further reduce the community’s confidence that the EPA can perform its core role which is to prevent environmental harm,” he said.