Urgent action required

Urgent action required:

This Friday, the Prime Minister plans to hand over most of the Australian government's powers that can stop damaging developments in sensitive environmental areas to, in Queensland's case, Campbell Newman - who recently described the commonwealth's 'vulnerable' listing for the koala as “mindless green tape”. 

There is an article on Magnetic Times by Jo Bragg that outlines the possible impacts and includes links to actions MINCA members can take - http://www.magnetictimes.com.au/article-4121.html


And why it's so important that the Federal Government NOT hand over powers to the states?

Take a look at the proposed Ella Bay development to our north. The state government has recently approved a large-scale urban and tourist development plus a golf course that will include 860 units and 540 permanent residences. 

This site is surrounded by the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef, and is adjacent to nationally endangered littoral rainforest and is prime cassowary country. 

At present the Federal Government has the power to take a closer look at developments such as this and either disallow them or impose strict conditions through the EPBC Act.  And while this power was, surprisingly and disappointingly not exercised with the Cockle Bay Transfer Station here on Magnetic, divesting it's powers so as to be no longer be able to intervene, particularly in Queensland - where their is no upper house to review decisions by the state government -     is very worrying.  It leaves any future and more environmentally-minded federal government in a much weakened position to act against damaging, short term gain, state-based, environmental actions.


To take action on both these linked issues go to the following links...but please do it this week as time is running out. 

Places You Love     http://placesyoulove.org/take-action/

The Greens petition    http://greensmps.org.au/content/petition/minister-burke-dont-hand-your-powers-states

CAFNEC (Ella Bay info and petition)      http://cafnec.org.au/2012/11/help-protect-ella-bay-sign-here/


More Info

National Times story 

http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/labor-endangers-environment-by-appeasing-states-20121126-2a2np.html