Topic Research Guides: Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy and Law texts are shelved at 344.46

Subject terms to search in the catalogue include: Environmental policy -- Australia; Environmental law -- Australia; Environmental protection.

There are a number of "major texts" in this area with regular editions being released. Check the catalogue for details of the current edition.

• Australian environmental law : norms, principles and rules / D.E. Fisher
• Australian landforms / C.R. Twidale and E.M. Campbell
• Environmental law in Australia / Gerry Bates
• State of Australia's Environment / Department of the Environment and Energy 

The Commonwealth Act dealing with the environment is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (known as the EPBC Act), administered by the Department of the Environment and Energy.
Refer to the  EPBC Act  page for information and policies.

Australian Administrative Law Policy Guide

Australian environmental legislation

WA websites for Government departments

Australian Government departments - see A to Z list of Government sites

Australian policy online

There are three Western Australian government departments that deal mainly with the environment - the Department of Environment Regulation (DER), the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

• The Department of Environment Regulation deals with environmental regulation - approving, monitoring, ensuring compliance, and enforcement; as well as advising on and implementing on policies related to environmental sustainability and climate change. Legislation administered by the  (DER), and other written laws on which DER officers assist can be found on the legislation page. 
• The Department of Parks and Wildlife is responsible for conserving biodiversity and managing the State’s parks as well as fire preparedness, pest animal and weed control in unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves. 
• The Environmental Protection Authority is an independent authority with the broad objective of protecting the State's environment. The EPA provides advice to the Minister and provides public statements on matters of environmental importance. See the legislation page of the website for information on the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

There are other authorities that deal with the Environment in WA:

• Keep Australia Beautiful Council
• Marine Parks and Reserves Authority
• Swan River Trust
• Waste Authority
• Contaminated Sites Committee
• Conservation Commission of WA

• ALP
• Liberal Party
• The Greens
• Parliamentary Library list of political party websites
• Refer to constitutions of the parties, annual reports/reports/government department publications.

American Society of International Law (ASIL)  Electronic Resources Guide (ERG) - click on the appropriate link for International Environmental Law

Analysis & Policy Observatory - Australia

AustLII: Australian Environmental and Planning Law Library

AustLII: Australian Law Index: Environment
Contains environment links that could be useful for searching policy.

Department of the Environment and Energy (CTH)
Commonwealth government site, with links to legislation, policy documents, publications and databases.

Department of Environment Regulation (DER) WA
The Department of Environment Regulation was established to advise on and implement strategies for a healthy environment for the benefit of all Western Australians.

Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) WA
The Department of Parks and Wildlife protects and conserves the State’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) WA
The EPA was established by Parliament as an independent Authority with the broad objective of protecting the State's environment.

National Environmental Law Association of Australia

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

Legify - Source Authoritative Australian Legislation

Commonwealth/Federal Legislation

Federal Register of Legislation - Commonwealth Legislation

Parliament of Australia website for

• Bills (​select Bill, then open link to Bill home page)
• Explanatory Memoranda
• Parliament of Australia Hansard Search for Second Reading Speeches & Parliamentary Debates

 (second reading speeches)

State Legislation 

Western Australian Legislation - Western Australian Legislation

Parliament of Western Australia website for

• Bills
• EM (explanatory memoranda)
• Parliament of Western Australia Hansard Search  for Second Reading Speeches & Parliamentary Debates

Other states' legislation

• ACT Legislation Register

• New South Wales Legislation

• Northern Territory Legislation

• Queensland Legislation

• South Australian Legislation

• Tasmanian Legislation

• Victorian Legislation

Other states' Hansard

• ACT Hansard Search

• New South Wales Hansard Search

• Northern Territory Hansard Search

• Queensland Hansard Search

• South Australia Hansard Search

• Tasmania Hansard Search

• Victoria Hansard Search

• Other Sources of Australian Law

Commonwealth

• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

• Environmental Sustainability Policy

Western Australia

• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

• Department of Water & Environmental Regulation

• Environmental Protection Authority

Treaties

• United Nations Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary-General

• United Nations Treaty Collection Search

• WorldLII International Treaties Collection

International Courts

• Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW)

• International Court of Justice

• International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

• Oxford Reports on International Law

International Environmental Law Research

• American Society of International Law - International Environmental Law Research Guide

• GlobaLex Global Warming Research

• GlobaLex Sustainable Development Law (SDL) Research Guide

Australian Environmental Law

• AustLII Australian Environmental and Planning Law Library

  Australian planning and development law