Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My questions is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment. Can the minister explain why Minister Burke supported handing over environmental approval power from the Commonwealth to the states through the COAG process last year when he knew at that very time that the New South Wales government had not complied with the National Partnership Agreement on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development, requiring New South Wales to consider independent Commonwealth advice on groundwater? Why did he do it when he knew that New South Wales were not even meeting their existing environmental responsibilities?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject the premise of your question, Senator Milne. Minister Burke and I have answered questions on this extensively. The protections that are included and the considerations that the minister used utterly show that your question is without foundation. We have gone through a process that is thorough and we have consulted extensively. We will continue to work closely with the states and we will continue to make independent judgements, as the minister is charged to do on a variety of issues. I fundamentally reject your premise in the way that you have defined your question.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. That is a fascinating response to a simple question: can he explain why the minister wanted to hand over Commonwealth powers to the states when he knew that New South Wales was not complying? And now, overnight, he has become concerned about the impacts of coal seam gas on communities and the environment after he himself approved three huge coal seam gas mines and ports within six months of becoming environment minister. Does the minister's concern extend beyond the New South Wales electorates in Western Sydney?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again repeat: I reject the fundamental premise of your question.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Which bit?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That there are political considerations around electorates. I just fundamentally reject this. In August 2011 the Australian government initiated the national agenda for reform of environmental regulation through COAG. At the time, Minister Burke announced the government's response to the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act—or EPBC, as it is more commonly known—and this included working collaboratively with the states and territories. This is exactly what I said previously.

The Australian government position was that agreements should simplify the regulatory environment, make regulation more efficient and ensure that existing protections for matters of national environmental significance were not compromised. While discussions with all jurisdictions were constructive, significant challenges emerged in developing agreements that could offer certainty and consistency for business while providing the assurance that high environmental standards would be met and maintained. (Time expired)

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. For clarity, will the government now unequivocally rule out any transfer of Commonwealth environment powers to the states? Straight up and down—yes, or no?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In December 2012 the Prime Minister advised COAG that negotiations would not be progressed, given the significant challenges that emerged in developing agreements. COAG committed to continue to work to streamline environmental regulation that delivers strong environmental outcomes and better conditions for business. The government remains committed to delivering an improved system that protects the environment and is more efficient, including by improving administrative practice and working with states and territories to improve assessment, bilateral agreement outcomes and to increase the use of strategic assessments.

I, on behalf of Minister Burke, just reject utterly the premise on which you have underpinned your questions.