Welcome to a momentous week in the Australian Senate – and that’s no exaggeration. The Albanese government is hoping to do a deal to rush the Environmental Protection Reform Bill through the Senate this week.
In its current form the bill is a betrayal of the people who voted for Labor believing they’d act on climate, the environment and biodiversity. Without significant amendments this legislation will take Australian environment law backwards.
An alliance of environmental groups is calling for
· the removal of new discretionary powers for the minister,
· consideration of climate impacts
· the closing of loopholes for native forest logging
· better engagement with First Nations communities
· scrapping or limiting a proposed “restoration contributions” fund
· reversing the decision to delegate decisions under the “water trigger” to the states.
· the federal EPA to be the main decision-maker on projects, with the minister only allowed to intervene in “exceptional circumstances”.
The worst possible outcome would be if Labor does a deal with the Coalition to pass the legislation this week. Such a deal can be expected to involve removing the positives in the current bill.
We’re suggesting three actions you can take – you choose.
1. Call or email the four ALP Senators for NSW. Let them (or their staffer) know the issues that are important to you from the list above.
Tim Ayres (02) 6277 7070 senator.ayres@aph.gov.au
Jenny McAlister (02) 6277 7290 Jennifer.mcallister@aph.gov.au
Deborah O’Neill (02) 6277 3882 senator.oneill@aph.gov.au
Tony Sheldon (02) 6277 3434 senator.sheldon@aph.gov.au
2. Sign the petition by The Australia Institute
3. Make a submission to the Senate Inquiry check out the guide by Lock the Gate and tell them what is important to you. Submissions are due by 5 December.
Other resources:
Environmental Justice Australia on how the reform package stacks up overall https://envirojustice.org.au/environment-law-reform-scorecard/
Senate Inquiry Hearing – evidence given by First Nations and environmentalists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWC8HrPVq8