A mining peak industry body has expressed concerns over the Commonwealth’s proposal to extend the powers of a national Environmental Protection Agency to include approvals.

The move will lead to a further slowing of investment in projects and new biodiversity conservation initiatives at a critical time for the Australian economy and environment, said the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA).

Less complex, efficient and timely approval processes for industry will be key to providing the certainty to invest and creating a framework for supporting biodiversity conservation said MCA CEO Tania Constable.

“Instead, the federal government has gone beyond its election commitments by proposing to outsource critical decision making on environmental approvals to an unelected, unaccountable approvals body” said Ms Constable.

“This significant policy departure will reduce ministerial accountability and increases uncertainty for industry.

“Environmental approvals require assessing environmental, social and economic and national interest matters for which a Minister should be accountable.”

The Australian minerals industry was committed to the preservation of Australia’s unique environment, Ms Constable said.

“The unexpected shift threatens to overshadow other welcome changes in the Commonwealth’s response to the review by Professor Graeme Samuel AC into the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,” she said.

“The MCA supports reforms to streamline regulation, enabled through regional planning and the accreditation of state and territory assessments and decision-making.

“Providing conservation payments in environmental offsets, outcomes-based approval requirements and improved environmental data are all also welcome as are promises to streamline nuclear action approvals.

“Business was already concerned about surprise changes workplace relations changes and speculation about increased taxation since the election, and further unexpected restraints on investment will be counterproductive.”