A new Department of Health consultation paper says legislation to be introduced next year will result in 70% fewer chemicals undergoing assessment before they are imported or used.
Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has amended hazardous waste regulations so Orica can export hazardous HCB waste to Finland for high-temperature incineration.
Orica today launched a fresh attempt to dispose of more than 10,000 tonnes of hazardous waste stockpiled in Sydney, applying for approval to export an initial 135 tonnes to Finland for destruction.
No one is sure whether state agencies can order Defence to take action over off-site contamination and, as class action lawyers circle, federal lawyers are trying to come up with an answer, a Senate inquiry has heard.
The Federal Government has taken the next step towards significantly reducing the number of new industrial chemicals that must undergo pre-market assessment.