Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESI DENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Labor supports this motion. Last week Labor called on the Minister for the Environment, as the minister responsible for Australia's World Heritage sites, to clarify this issue. World Heritage sites have to be administered according to management plans prepared and implemented by the minister. The conservation management plan for the Sydney Opera House says:

The Sydney Opera House exterior, particularly the shells … should not be regarded as a giant billboard or commercial/advertising opportunity.

Labor has asked a number of questions of the minister, including: 'At what point did the minister ask for advice on the values of the Opera House and whether they had been breached or impacted? What was the advice provided to the minister? What decisions has the minister taken as a result of this advice?' So far, all we have heard from the minister is silence.