Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2017:

The current and future impacts of climate change on marine fisheries and biodiversity, including:

(a) recent and projected changes in ocean temperatures, currents and chemistry associated with climate change;

(b) recent and projected changes in fish stocks, marine biodiversity and marine ecosystems associated with climate change;

(c) recent and projected changes in marine pest and diseases associated with climate change;

(d) the impact of these changes on commercial fishing and aquaculture, including associated business activity and employment;

(e) the impact of these changes on recreational fishing;

(f) the adequacy of current quota-setting and access rights provisions and processes given current and projected climate change impacts;

(g) the adequacy of current and proposed marine biodiversity protections given current and projected climate change impacts;

(h) the adequacy of biosecurity measures and monitoring systems given current and projected climate change impacts; and

(i) any other related matters.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We do not need an inquiry established every time Senator Whish-Wilson reads an article or meets a stakeholder. The government takes advice from leading Australian and global scientific institutions, including the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, on the impacts of climate change, including on the marine environment, fisheries and recreational users. Australia has some of the most sustainably managed, low impact fisheries in the world, underpinned by world-class scientific research. A well-managed fisheries system ensures a more resilient marine environment in the face of climate change. Australia's climate change policies are strong and in place and we are playing our part internationally by signing the Paris agreement and commencing domestic ratification. The government will be happy to facilitate a briefing for Senator Whish-Wilson by relevant officials to canvass these issues, rather than tie up hundreds of hours of resources through an inquiry.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was not planning to make a short statement, but given that that was a very personal response by the government I will respond. Mr President, off the coast of Tasmania, where we are both from, we have seen unprecedented warming of waters and we have seen severe damage to our aquaculture industry, to scallops, to abalone and to the oyster industry, not to mention the damage to some of the beautiful, ancient kelp forests. Right around the country we are seeing the ocean go haywire from warming waters. We are seeing marine protected area protections that the Labor Party brought in being wound back, especially in the Coral Sea, very close to an area where we are seeing unprecedented bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef. The government clearly has something to hide. They do not want an inquiry into this. I would say to the One Nation senators and others here who do not believe in climate change that this is a good opportunity to come along and ask hard questions to the experts. This is an inquiry we need to have. The ocean is being ignored in the climate change debate. It is a great opportunity— (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Whish-Wilson, business of the Senate notice of motion No. 4, be agreed to.