Debate resumed from 19 October, on motion by Mr Hunt:

That this bill be now read a second time.

upon which Mr Albanese moved by way of amendment:

That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and expresses strong concern that:

(1)

the bill is being rushed through the Parliament without proper consideration or consultation;

(2)

the Howard Government has failed to halt the decline in Australia’s natural environment and best agricultural land;

(3)

the bill contains no measures to cut Australia’s spiralling greenhouse pollution or protect Australia from dangerous climate change;

(4)

the bill will increase the Howard Government’s politicisation of environment and heritage protection; and

(5)

many of the proposed changes in the bill will reduce Ministerial accountability and opportunities for genuine public consultation;

(6)

ensure climate change is properly factored into environmental decision making under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act);

(7)

establish a climate change trigger in the Act to ensure large scale greenhouse polluting projects are assessed by the Federal Government; and

(8)

allow greater time for public consultation and debate on the bill.”

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