Page 3111 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 22 August 2017
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This year’s budget invests $2.5 million in measures to tackle environmental issues and protect nature reserves in the ACT as well as $3.5 million to support the local community in measures that help address the impact of climate change. Climate change and sustainability has a budget of nearly $25 million, with $1.9 million directed to implementing the various actions outlined in the climate change adaptation strategy.
I appreciate the efforts that directorate staff make to prepare for estimates. I acknowledge that this is my first time but, given the short time set aside for some line items, some as short as 25 minutes, lengthy opening statements which take up half or more than half of the allocated time do not allow the committee, or the shadow ministers, much time to ask questions that require well prepared, substantive answers. This was particularly evident during the environment and planning hearings. I support the recommendation in the select committee’s report that ministers—and, by extension, officials—restrict their opening remarks to five minutes.
I am disappointed that the government has chosen to agree to this only in principle. Estimates can be a gruelling marathon, particularly for the public servants, but it is a parliamentary mechanism designed to offer opportunities for non-executive members, particularly shadow ministers, to seek information from ministers and officials about their directorates, and it seems unfair and unnecessary for an opening statement to occupy over 60 per cent of the allocated time for a witness.
In questioning the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, I was a little surprised to learn that while there is a staff of five, nine complaints were received and the commission did not routinely promote or encourage topics for investigation. The commissioner stated that she had not been directed by the minister, as required under the legislation, to investigate matters related to the water management strategy for 2011-15.
I was also a little surprised to learn that the commissioner played no part in consultation on the eastern grey kangaroo controlled native species management plan earlier this year. When questioned, she said:
We were not asked for a submission in respect of the management plan and we did not provide one.
The common thread from the commissioner’s answers seems to be a lack of leadership from the government to enable the commission to work to its fullest potential.
I was keen, and I am sure this is a topic close to the hearts of a lot of Canberrans, to understand the impact of the ACT’s plastic bag ban on the environment and what consideration had been given to the fact that, despite the ban, plastic bags were still a common item in ACT supermarkets, albeit purchased at a cost to the consumer. Unfortunately, all these questions were taken on notice, which eliminated any opportunity to ask for more details.
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