Damian Hale (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I had sort of forgotten what we were talking about there. It is just typical of those opposite when it comes to issues like climate change. There are very few alternatives. I brought out a bit of paper to write down the member for Flinders’ alternatives and, as you can see, it is fairly blank. A global rainforest recovery program—yes, it has a nice ring to it and probably could work. Unfortunately, they had 12 years to do something about this, and we are actually acting on climate change. We believe in climate change; while, on their side of the House, they still have their sceptics. I know that it makes it very difficult for the member for Flinders—who has got an extremely good intellect and a real passion for environmental issues—to be hamstrung by the attitudes of other members.

Getting back to the bill, it is a non-controversial bill. It does not have an adverse effect on industry at all, and there will be no additional costs. It is about streamlining the operation so that both industry and government can work together to make sure the legislation allows industry to operate, to keep progressing and to keep moving forward. It gives that little bit of flexibility, in regards to being able to report the data back on discovery—you will find that an extra 27-odd days in the change in the legislation will enable industry that extra time to collect their data. I commend the bill.

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