Legislation will Gut Heritage Commission's Independence

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

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Thursday, 27 June 2002

Legislation will Gut Heritage Commission's Independence

Greens Senator Bob Brown says the legislation introduced today by
Environment Minister Dr Kemp will gut the Australian Heritage Commission's
independence.

"Dr Kemp's proposals are about removing environmental protection rather than
enhancing it," Senator Brown said. 

"The Heritage Commission must remain a fully fledged independent
organisation. It must retain the power to nominate, fully assess and then
list heritage. Dr Kemp wants this power for himself - the Senate must stop
him.

"The Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act has failed.
Australia's precious and wild places have been destroyed  at a record rate
since it was passed in 1999.  More landclearing, more greenhouse gas
emissions, more ancient forests slaughtered.

"And now the Government wants to bring Heritage under the ambit of this
failed Act.

"The Greens will oppose this legislation in the Senate and will be moving to
amend it so that the Heritage Commission keeps its name and independent
functions and so that there is real federal power to protect our wonderful
built, natural and indigenous heritage.

"The Greens will also be moving to ensure heritage places are listed and
protected for their whole place, including their associated values.

"There are currently over 14000 places on the Heritage Commission's list of
National Estate. With this new legislation that list will effectively be
gutted with no requirement for the Government to put many of those currently
listed places on the new national list. 

Further information: Ben Oquist 02 6277 3170 or 0419 704 095

Ben Oquist
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown
02 62773170 ph
02 62773185 fx
www.bobbrown.org.au



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