 It was established on 17 July 2000 upon the proclamation of the EPBC Act and is a continuation of the office of the "Director of National Parks and Wildlife" which existed under the "National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975".As of May 2018, the office is held in an acting capacity by Dr. Judy West who succeeds Sally Barnes who was director from 2014 to 2018 and Peter Cochrane who was director from 1999 to 2013.The Director of National Parks’ responsibilities under the EPBC Act include