If it were not for the fact that I am an old Bureaucrat, I would say this sounds like good news. But in my opinion, it is never Good News when they propose a wide ranging Inquiry like this.
It smacks of Tony Burke being sick and tired of being nagged by "Hard Line Greenies" about him not complying with the EPBC Act, allowing the likes of the 40000 Coal Seam Gas wells in Queensland, and the prospect of the Pilliga Scrub going as well.
What room is there for "biodiversity" here?
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| This is a real photo of gas wells near Tara, Queensland |
The "economic and resource" Ministers in Cabinet are far more powerful than the likes of Tony Burke anyway.
Also, as the old adge was in Yes Minister: - "never waste a good crisis"
Apparently the quote owes more to Rahm Emanuel and the early days of the Obama Administration - but the point is the same:
While the Live Beef Export issue consumes the Media, Government strategists will think "lets sneak this one out there, while nobody's watching".
Stand by for a major shifting of the Goal Posts, folks.
The scope of the committee’s inquiry shall include some case studies of ‘nationally important ecosystems’
If I didn't know better I would say you can kiss the Murray Darling Basin goodbye.
The Great Barrier Reef is already transitioning to a major Coal Seam Gas and Coal export shipping lane.
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| Image courtesy of Gladstone Observer. Stephen Mills Photography |
See what Santos have in mind for Curtis Island at Gladstone.
http://www.santos.com/
and they are only one of the many "players".
QGC (a wholly-owned subidiary of British Gas)
John Holland (a subsidiary of Leightons Holdings)
Kellog Brown and Root (KBR) (they're available now to help us out, now that they've "delivered" in Iraq.
I could go on and on, but frankly looking at all these corporate statements makes me feel sick.
In my opinion, this Government is hell bent on destroying what ecosystems we have left.
House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and the Arts
Committee activities (inquiries and reports)
Inquiry into Australia's biodiversity in a changing climate
On Thursday, 2 June 2011 the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon Tony Burke MP and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon Greg Combet AM MP, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on Australia's biodiversity in a changing climate. The Committee invites submissions addressing one or more of the points listed in the terms of reference. Please refer to our brochure called preparing a submission for more information. In order to facilitate electronic publishing, submissions should be emailed to ccea.reps@aph.gov.au, by Friday 29 July 2011. For those who do not have access to email, submissions can be mailed to the Committee Secretariat.
Terms of reference
Submissions
Public hearings
Media releases
Report
Comments to: The Secretary of the Committee on PH: (02) 6277 4580 or FAX: (02) 6277 4424
or e-mail: ccea.reps@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 6 June, 2011 by Committee Secretariat
© Commonwealth of Australia
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/
