Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 2 February 2012:

With reference to the proposed development of a network of marine parks, (the South-west Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network), in Western Australia:

(1) When will the boundaries proposed by the Commonwealth Government be released to the public and what is the process following their release.

(2) Has the Western Australian Government been consulted in the preparation of the proposed boundaries; if so, what is its position.

(3) Can the Minister confirm that Australia has more marine areas in sanctuary zones (with no commercial or recreational fishing) than anywhere else in the world.

(4) Can the Minister confirm that, when the current marine planning process is finished, Australia will have more sanctuary zones than the rest of the world combined.

(5) Do the boundaries proposed by the Commonwealth Government include new areas of marine national park near the Abrolhos Islands, the Perth Canyon or other areas off the coast of Western Australia.

Did the proposal of the new marine national park area originate in: (a) the department; (b) the Minister's office; or (c) a non-government organisation; if so, which organisation(s).

(6) Have any submissions to the Minister or the department been received in regard to the proposed boundaries of the marine national parks; if so, will the submissions be released to the public.

(7) What scientific data was used to establish the proposed boundaries for the marine park areas.

(8) What other advice did the Minister receive in regard to the development of the boundaries and the conservation goals of the proposed reserves.