Page 1958 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 June 1993
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Madam Speaker, we support the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill likewise, as it brings into line the consequential amendments arising from the Commissioner for the Environment Bill 1993. We wish to restate, Madam Speaker, that we hope that the commissioner is, and will remain, completely independent of the bureaucracy and of the Government. The Liberal Party supports both Bills.
MR MOORE (5.33): Madam Speaker, I think it is important, in the initial instance, to acknowledge Mr Wood's initiative. This, I am given to understand, is an idea that he had, and he has pursued it. It is a very positive idea and I welcome it coming to fruition in this Bill. It seems to me, Madam Speaker, that one of the most important parts of this Bill for the establishment of a Commissioner for the Environment is that the Government itself can be held accountable in environmental terms. Indeed, other people within the community and who are concerned with the environment can also be held more accountable by this position.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the expertise of Mr Baker, who has been designated as Commissioner for the Environment. His scientific background is impeccable; but it is also important that he be seen to be independent of the Government, as, indeed, the Bill provides. He really has to play a role that is quite fearless - the role that we have seen a number of exceptional ombudsmen play - in protecting the environment. It is a role that sometimes will be critical of government. I think that in establishing this position the Minister is aware that, to a certain extent, he is preparing a rod for his own back, something that will keep him on his toes. As far as that goes, it is an unusual political move because it was done without pressure from elsewhere. It is an appropriately motivated piece of legislation. Mr Wood has decided that the most important thing here is the environment, and he has moved to protect it.
One of the most interesting things coming out of the Bill will be the annual state of the environment report. I think that that will allow the Commissioner for the Environment to take a positive role in terms of the environment. One of the fears I have is that it is easy for someone in a fearless and independent position to always work on the negatives; to say, "No, this is wrong, this is wrong, and this is wrong". Having an annual report on the state of the environment provides an opportunity to set some goals and to look for a positive approach. That is something that I would encourage the first commissioner, Mr Baker, to take on. It seems to me that the goal that the commissioner will be looking for is sustainability; sustainability not just in population terms - that has to be in Australian terms and not just ACT terms - but sustainability in terms of production and a series of other factors. I think that is a more important issue than the issue raised by Mr Westende, who talked about balance.
In looking for sustainability, first of all we have to correct the imbalance that has been part of the way the environment has been dealt with over the last century and a half, or nearly two centuries. That really has been the challenge that has been taken up in the last decade and a half by people who are concerned for the environment and, indeed, by most members who sit in this chamber. There will be some difference in opinion, I think, within this chamber as to where that balance lies, and that is also part of the challenge for our Commissioner for the Environment. I take this opportunity, Madam Speaker, to unreservedly congratulate the Minister. It will be with great pleasure that I will support this Bill.
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