The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) is a department of the Australian federal government. It is responsible for protecting and conserving Australia's natural environment and cultural heritage. The stated aims of the department is to achieve the following: protection and conservation of the environment; to ensure that Australia benefits from meteorological and related sciences and services; and to see that Australia's interests in Antarctica are advanced. The Minister leading the department in 2004 is Senator the Hon. Ian Campbell.

The department manages a number of major programs. The most significant of those dealing with natural resource management come under the umbrella of the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. Both the Trust and National Action Plan are administered jointly with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Divisions of the Department include the Australian Antarctic Division, Supervising Scientist Division, Heritage Division, Parks Australia, plus a number of executive agencies and statutory authorities.

The Department of the Environment and Heritage administers environmental laws, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and a range of other Acts. It is also responsible for Australia's participation in a number of international environmental agreements

See also: Protected areas of Australia

External link

• Department of the Environment and Heritage website (http://www.deh.gov.au/)