ACTION ALERT - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Bill 1998 The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Bill is now moving to the public hearings of the Senate Legislation Committee on Environment. The Committee is due to report on the Bill to the Senate on 22 March 1999 and it seems that the Government is intent on getting the legislation through the Senate by 30 June 1999, or even March 30! It is possible that the Government will seek to debate the legislation during the sitting days immediately following the Committee report. The tight timetable indicates that the Government is prepared to push through the legislation with minimal debate. The last public hearing, in Melbourne on March 18, is only four days before the Committee is due to report. The report is meant to be an analysis of the more than 600 submissions and a response to all the issues raised in the submissions and at the public hearings. It is also meant to propose or propose amendments to the legislation based on the community's response. There is also usually time for the different parties to have in depth debate and discussion about what improvements that they can agree on. The Bill is 432 pages long. It replaces five existing Acts of Parliament and it proposes major change to the way Governments deal with environment issues in Australia, particularly giving more power to the States and Territories. It has led to thousands of pages of submissions from people concerned about its implications. It requires proper consideration by the Parliament, with public involvement in the debate and it must not be rushed through, possibly by the end of March! This is a call to action. We need people to now contact the Senators on the Senate Legislation Committee on Environment, to raise concerns about the proposed legislation and to call for adequate public and Parliamentary debate. Also take the opportunity to ring their offices and write letters (c/- Parliament House, Canberra). Call for more public hearings on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Bill. Particularly contact the Committee Chair, Senator Alan Eggleston on 02 6277 3407 or 08 9368 6633 to call for further public hearings by the Committee. Senator Alan Eggleston (Lib WA) Chair [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Lyn Allison Dem Vic) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Mark Bishop (ALP, WA) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Nick Bolkus (ALP, SA) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Marise Payne (Lib NSW) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator John Tierney (Lib NSW) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Current dates for public hearings are: Sydney 4 February Hobart 19 February Darwin 25 February; priority to EPBC with some GST submissions, if time Perth 26 February; piggy-backed with GST hearings Canberra 4 March Adelaide 12 March; probably also hearing GST submissions Melbourne 18 March followed by a report to the Senate on 22 March and subsequent Senate debate. Further e-bulletins will be out soon. If you require any of the following information sheets, sent by email, please contact the National Liaison Office of the Australian Conservation Foundation: - The National 'pass-the-buck' Environment Law - One Continent or Seven Countries? Environmental issues of national significance - Q. When is a national environment law not a national law? A. When it leaves out native forests and logging companies� - Urgent Warning! Dangerous Law in Progress - Enviro Law update - Opposition to new laws Larry O'Loughlin National Liaison Office Australian Conservation Foundation [EMAIL PROTECTED] 02 - 6247 2472 (p) 02 - 6247 5779 (f)
