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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Lisa Cox and Catie McLeod

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

Asbestos-contaminated mulch being removed from a park in Sydney’s Surry Hills last week
Asbestos-contaminated mulch being removed from a park in Sydney’s Surry Hills last week. The Minns Labor government says loopholes in environmental laws need to be fixed. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

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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