PAPERS

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General): I present a statement, pursuant to section 10 of the Canberra Institute of Technology Act 1987, relating to the Canberra Institute of Technology's participation in South East Region Training (SERT) Ltd. Pursuant to standing order 83A, I present two out-of-order petitions - one lodged by Mrs Carnell from 121 residents concerning the provision of government doctors to the Narrabundah Health Centre, and one by Mr Hird from 80 residents concerning the provision of infrastructure services to the suburbs of Gungahlin. Finally, Mr Speaker, I present the Woden Valley Hospital information bulletin relating to patient activity data for June 1995 and the revised Administrative Arrangements as contained in Gazette No. S149, dated 30 June 1995.

NATURE CONSERVATION ACT - SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION

Paper and Ministerial Statement

MR HUMPHRIES (Attorney-General and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning): Mr Speaker, for the information of members, and pursuant to the Subordinate Laws Act 1989, I present Determination No. 102 made under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 relating to the criteria for granting and refusing a licence. I ask for leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, the Nature Conservation Act 1980 is the primary ACT legislation for the protection of native plants and animals. The Conservator of Flora and Fauna is the statutory authority under the Act to administer the licensing system for management of prescribed activities. Prescribed activities are concerned with the handling of plants and animals or related activities with potential to cause environmental harm. In 1994, an amendment to the Nature Conservation Act repealed the existing criteria for the granting of licences, with effect from 22 June 1995. New provisions were substituted which required that the Conservator of Flora and Fauna shall not grant a licence, or impose or vary a licence condition, except in accordance with criteria to be determined by the Minister as a disallowable instrument. The primary objective of this amendment is to allow greater flexibility in administration of controlled activities without compromising conservation values.

The instrument I am tabling today is my determination of new criteria for the conservator's decisions in relation to applications for licences for prescribed activities. The objectives of the licensing criteria are to allow prescribed activities to be managed in a way that will enhance conservation of the native plants and animals of the Territory and contribute to regional, national and international nature conservation goals through the application of agreed guidelines and standards. Licensing criteria recognise recreational, scientific, educational and commercial interests in plants and animals as legitimate pursuits and are designed to accommodate them consistent with nature conservation objectives. Standards for the handling of animals in relation to movement and keeping conditions are also addressed.

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