Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities) Share this | Hansard source

I have to respond to that in a way that does not prejudge any decisions. The best way I can respond to the points raised by the member for Lyne is to say that environmental decisions are based on what are covered as matters of national environmental significance within our national environmental legislation, known as the EPBC Act. There are some parts of that decision-making process which do not necessarily have science at their core—for example, heritage decisions which are covered under those sections. Where the decisions call for a foundation of scientific information, the best available scientific information is used. As a result of the amendments here today, there will be a continued and rapid improvement in the quality of that scientific information that forms the foundations of those parts of the decision making within the act.

Question negatived.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

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