Page 4021 - Week 13 - Thursday, 10 November 1994
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Through the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment, the ACT, like other States and the Northern Territory, is required to set in place implementation mechanisms for the mandatory application of national environment protection measures made by the council. As members are aware, last year I launched a discussion paper proposing integrated environment protection legislation. Following public consultation on the broad proposal, I intend to have a second discussion paper to release later this year for further consultation with the community. This will comprise a detailed description of the proposed legislation.
The development of integrated environment legislation aims to improve environmental outcomes by taking a holistic approach to the environment and fostering the principles of cleaner production and waste minimisation. The new legislation will also provide the mechanism for giving effect to national environment protection measures in the ACT. For example, these measures could be adopted through incorporation into Territory environment protection policies which would be subordinate to the new legislation. This would be consistent with the means by which other jurisdictions plan to adopt the measures.
As incorporated in Schedule 4 of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment, a national environment protection measure agreed to by the council may be disallowed by either house of the Commonwealth Parliament. If not disallowed, the measures will then apply automatically in each jurisdiction. As provided by the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment, measures adopted by such a process would not prevent the ACT from introducing or maintaining more stringent measures to reflect specific circumstances within the ACT. I believe that this is an essential safeguard for us.
As well as making national environment protection measures, the council has an important role to play in reporting annually to Federal Parliament on its activities and on its overall assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of national environment protection measures. The council will be assisted by a statutory committee of officials. The Australian Local Government Association will be represented on that committee. It is not proposed to create a substantial new bureaucracy for the development of these measures. Rather, the council secretariat will draw upon work being carried out throughout Australia. The cost of establishing the council and developing measures will be paid half by the Commonwealth and half by the States and Territories. The ACT's contribution is expected to be about $15,000 in the first year.
Madam Speaker, the introduction of this Bill is an important step in the process of developing harmonious environmental law in Australia. It complements this Government's achievements in enhancing accountability for environment protection, particularly in terms of its relevance to the work of the ACT Commissioner for the Environment and to state of the environment reporting. Furthermore, the National Environment Protection Council will provide the means whereby the ACT can work in partnership with the Commonwealth, participating States and the Northern Territory to share expertise, resources and decision making to benefit environment protection in the ACT and across Australia. Mr Deputy Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned.
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