NSW to double penalties for worst environmental crimes in wake of asbestos crisis

Planned overhaul of Environment Protection Authority’s powers to be biggest since it began in 1991, government says

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Penalties for the most serious environmental crimes would double and the New South Wales environmental watchdog would have powers to recall potentially contaminated products from consumers under major changes to environmental protection laws proposed by the Minns government.

The environment minister, Penny Sharpe, said the government was proposing the largest set of amendments to the Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA’s) powers since the regulator was established in 1991.

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