Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 6 Hansard (19 June) . . Page.. 1842 ..

MS HORODNY (continuing):

There is a broader issue about the point of the state of the environment reporting. Ideally, the information that comes out of these reports should be an integral part of government policy-making. If the Government is serious about wanting ecologically sustainable development, as they have said in the strategic plan for Canberra released last year, then it is essential that environmental factors be fully integrated into all areas of Government decision-making. Unfortunately, we see very little evidence of this occurring. For example, the Government's strategic plan for Canberra did not even refer to previous recommendations made by the Commissioner for the Environment, and the ACT State of the Environment Reports were not even mentioned in the strategy's list of references.

We still do not have an independent environment protection authority in the ACT, despite the Minister's announcement on World Environment Day that he has created a new agency called Environment ACT. I understand that this agency was created by just a rearrangement of sections within the Department of Urban Services and that the head of Environment ACT still reports to the chief executive of the Department of Urban Services. If the Government is serious about establishing a separate ACT environment organisation, then it needs to make sure that the organisation has some teeth and that it is able to give independent advice to the Government. It must be integrated with the functions of the Commissioner for the Environment and also the regulatory mechanisms in the Government's Environment Protection Bill.

In conclusion, we are supporting this Bill, but in a broader perspective these changes still do not go far enough in integrating the state of the environment into Government decision-making.

MR MOORE (3.55): Mr Speaker, in rising to support this Bill, I would like to draw members' attention to the fact that the matter was considered in detail by the Planning and Environment Committee when it considered the report of the Commissioner for the Environment and the Government's response to it. I think it is another step along the path that Mr Wood started on when he established the Commissioner for the Environment. That is a path of constantly improving accountability associated with the environment. For that matter, I would like to congratulate the Minister for getting this piece of legislation under way and for his work on this issue. The amendments put forward by the Greens enhance the legislation and, as such, I am delighted to be supporting them.

It seems to me that the expansion of the tasks of the Commissioner for the Environment to provide a regional role as well as an ACT role has been an extraordinarily important step forward in the protection of the environment. It is a step forward that, from my discussions, is recognised very widely in the regional community. That is another issue. I think it is appropriate to give credit to this Government where it is due. I am very pleased to be supporting this Bill and to use the opportunity to congratulate the Commissioner for the Environment on the very positive work that has been done by his office.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .