Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 1 November 2012:

(1) What meetings were held, either before or after the April 2012 Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, to gain community views about the Business Advisory Forum (BAF) proposal for approvals bilateral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including details of the attendees, purpose, length and outcomes of discussions for each meeting.

(2) What meetings were held with business and industry prior to the April 2012 COAG meeting in preparation for the BAF meeting of April 2012, including details of the attendees, purpose, length and outcomes of discussions for each meeting.

(3) What independent assessment was prepared by the Government of the claims made by business that environmental regulation was duplicated and caused delays, including when this analysis was undertaken; if no analysis was undertaken, why not.

(4) Was any independent assessment undertaken of other jurisdictions, including the United States, to determine whether Australia''s alleged ''green tape'' burdens are lesser or greater than that of other comparable jurisdictions; if so, when was this analysis undertaken; if not, why not.

(5) Was any independent assessment undertaken of what Australia''s environmental regulation frameworks deliver for the community and the likely risks associated with a handover of federal environmental approvals powers to state and territory governments; if so, when was this analysis undertaken; if not, why not.