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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3843 ..

I also like the addition of the requirement for environment improvement plans to have regard to best practice but, again, I do not think this concept is being consistently applied across the act. I have some amendments that address this point.

The inclusion of sterilisation of clinical waste as a prescribed activity requiring an environmental authorisation is also important and obviously necessary with the proposal to set up such a plant at Totalcare in Mitchell.

Overall, I agree with the government about the desirability of reviewing the Environment Protection Act, but in many instances I have come up with different conclusions on what needs to be changed and have prepared a range of amendments to the bill which I will go through in the detail stage.

MR MOORE (Minister for Health, Housing and Community Services) (8.31): It gives me pleasure to rise to support this government legislation. The review of the Environment Protection Act has been a particularly important process conducted by Mr Smyth. There was huge community consultation. I have spoken to many members of the community about this issue, and I know that they are very keen to see the legislation improved and are comfortable with this bill.

The consultation process included consultation on the protection of a range of endangered species like legless lizards, earless dragons, spineless echidnas and furry dungbats. Their protection is very important.

Community consultation on this bill contrasts markedly with consultation on the amendments that are being put up. I have spoken to the community about the amendments we will come to specifically in the detail stage. The community tell me that they do not want these amendments. They see them as much too hard line and going right over the top. I will be opposing the amendments, having listened to the community thoroughly and the community having told me that they do not like the amendments the Greens will be putting up. It was hard for me to talk to the community. I had so little time to do the consultation when I received these amendments. But the consultation on the amendments Mr Smyth has tabled was done beautifully. Unfortunately, there was a lack of consultation on the others.

The lack of consideration of the furry dungbat, the spineless echidna and other endangered species has caused me a great deal of concern. That concern has come to the point where I just cannot bring myself to vote to support the Greens amendments. However, I am pleased to lend my support to the well thought through amendments that Mr Smyth consulted on and distributed quite some time ago.

MR BERRY (8.34): I think Mr Moore has set out to try to damage Ms Tucker's character and her credentials. I heard a long and tedious speech from Mr Moore earlier on today. I think his speech now flies in the face of what he said earlier.

Ms Tucker: What did he say?

MR BERRY: He said lots of things. He gave a speech today about criticising people and tearing into the character and credibility of others. It is probably beyond him to damage Ms Tucker, because she is well respected for what she does on the environment and in

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