Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I note that Senator Macdonald is pleased with my comment.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate noting the words of the Government (Minister for Human Services, Senator Ludwig) in the Senate on 17 March 2009 that, ‘Under the EPBC Act the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts can do much more than prevent any deliberate actions which would increase the prospect of the swift parrot going to extinction’:

(a)

calls on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Mr Garrett) to act, well within these powers, to prevent any deliberate action which would increase the prospect of Australia’s swift parrot becoming extinct; and

(b)

calls on the Government to inform the Senate by 12 May 2009 whether the swift parrot recovery plans meet International Union for the Conservation of Nature requirements.

Senator Ludlam to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

an Environment, Communication and the Arts Committee inquiry found numerous and fundamental flaws in the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and recommended in December 2008 that it be repealed, and

(ii)

the committee called for replacement legislation to be introduced into the parliament in the autumn 2009 sittings that would be based on principles of rigorous consultation, voluntary consent, environmental credibility, and which utilises best practice models tested internationally; and

(b)

calls on the Australian Government to:

(i)

repeal the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and introduce replacement legislation as outlined in Australian Labor Party (ALP) policy and subsequently recommended by the committee,

(ii)

deliver a process on radioactive waste that is scientific, transparent accountable, fair and allows access to appeal mechanisms, which is both an election promise and a stated policy position of the ALP, and

(iii)

update the Senate as to the Government’s intended timetable for the introduction of the repeal and replacement legislation.

Senator Ian Macdonald to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate notes:

(a)

that the Greens political party in Queensland has allocated preferences to the Bligh Labor Government in 12 marginal seats thus heightening the chances of the Labor Government being returned to office in Queensland at the election on Saturday, 21 March 2009;

(b)

the Greens political party both in Queensland and federally claim to oppose the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam on the Mary River in Queensland;

(c)

that the Liberal National Party in Queensland has consistently and firmly opposed the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam;

(d)

that the Bligh Labor Government has refused to rule out construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam and has indicated it would make an application to the Federal Government for Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act approval to construct the Traveston Crossing Dam after Saturday’s election in Queensland; and

(e)

the contradictory approaches of the Greens political party to construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam.

Senator Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

Notice of amendment:

That, logically, the Queensland National Liberal Party, in concern for the Mary River, ought to prefer the Greens over the Australian Labor Party in assessing preference directions.

Senator Ian Macdonald to move on the next day of sitting:

Notice of amendment to the proposed notice of amendment of the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown):

That the Senate also notes that the Liberal National Party in Queensland is not recommending preferences.