Australia’s Cabinet approves single-touch approvals for major projects

The National Cabinet on Friday agreed to move to single-touch environmental approvals underpinned by national environmental standards for Commonwealth environmental matters.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government was also hoping to cut excessive waiting time for project approvals, with the Commonwealth approvals time for major projects targeted to be cut by some 50% from an average three-and-a-half years to just 21 months.