The Australian government has named John Bradley PSM as the first Chief Executive Officer of its newly established National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA), a key institution within the federal government's environmental reform agenda.
The appointment, announced by the Albanese Government on 12 June, comes ahead of the agency's official launch on 1 July. The National EPA is being created as an independent environmental regulator tasked with overseeing compliance with strengthened environmental legislation while helping to improve the efficiency of project approval processes.
Bradley will serve a five-year term and will be responsible for guiding the establishment and operation of the new authority from its inception.
He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across environmental regulation, water management, energy, climate policy, natural resources and planning. Most recently, Bradley led both Victoria's Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning over an eight-year period. His career has also included senior positions in government and industry in Queensland and Western Australia.
Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt highlighted Bradley's broad experience across multiple sectors as an important asset for the new agency.
“Mr Bradley’s diverse background in public administration, industry and the not-for-profit sector make him the ideal candidate to effectively deliver real gains for the environment and business through the National EPA,” Minister Watt said.
“I look forward to working with him as we bring the three pillars of our environmental reforms to life – stronger environmental protections, faster project approvals and greater transparency.”
Commenting on his appointment, Bradley said: “The National EPA has a critical role to play as the agile, independent umpire Australia's environment needs.”
“I look forward to ensuring the National EPA is a trusted, effective regulator which applies stronger environmental standards consistently and in a timely way, using streamlined processes.”
He added: “We will work closely with the stakeholders and jurisdictions who have already contributed significantly to these reforms, as the National EPA hits the ground running this year.”
