John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I should say, Mr President, that I appreciate the fact that Senator Joyce has acknowledged across the chamber that that is the building he is referring to, and as a result I am happy to provide what information I have had made available to me by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Mr Garrett, on this issue.

I can say to Senator Joyce, through you, Mr President, that in this case the Cairns Yacht Club has been assessed twice by the Australian Heritage Council, which concluded that the club does not meet the high threshold of significance necessary for entry into the national heritage list. On the basis of an AHC assessment in 2005, the former minister for the environment, Minister Campbell, who is well known to many senators, refused to enter the club on the national list.

Subsequently, on AHC advice of the absence of national heritage values, another former minister for the environment, Mr Turnbull, who is in the House of Representatives, in 2007 refused full assessment of a precinct containing the club. I am also briefed to inform the Senate that the club has been rejected for entry on the state heritage register. I do know that Mr Garrett recognises the very strong local interest in retaining the club, but the strict provisions of the EPBC Act prevent the entry of any place on the national heritage list that is not of outstanding significance to the nation.

The council’s heritage assessments and the consideration of Mr Garrett’s department of more recent information about the club have apparently, I am advised, shown that the club does not meet this test. In conclusion, I can say to Senator Joyce that Mr Garrett has advised the applicants that, on the available evidence, the club cannot be listed. Mr Garrett, I understand, has suggested to the applicants that they pursue listing by the Queensland heritage authorities.