Review of federal environment laws will cut 'green tape' and speed up approvals

Environment minister says cutting delays in project approvals could save the economy $300m a year

The Morrison government has promised a review of national environmental laws will "tackle green tape" and reduce delays in project approvals that it said costs the economy about $300m a year.

Hundreds of scientists have asked the government to use a legally required review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) to strengthen the legislation so it could be used to stem a worsening extinction crisis.