Queensland Greens

Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters will be in Melbourne this Friday for the Senate inquiry into her emergency listing of threatened species bill.

The bill would extend emergency protection to newly discovered species by allowing them to be temporarily listed as threatened.

“Right now, a new species of dolphin in the Fitzroy River delta is under threat from two proposed coal export terminals, and a newly discovered kind of crab and shrimp could be wiped out by a bauxite mine expansion in Cape York,” Senator Waters said.

“Our laws currently don’t protect the dolphin, crab or shrimp, and Environment Minister Burke’s plan to introduce emergency listing with the full EPBC reform package later this year comes too late to save them.

“The Minister’s proposed reforms also include an escape clause for mining companies and developers which will virtually negate any protection for newly discovered species – making a mockery of the notion of emergency protection and rightly described as ‘not satisfactory’ by the Law Council of Australia in their submission.

“I am extremely disappointed that the Environment Department’s submission on my bill placed ‘business and regulatory certainty’ ahead of Australian wildlife in danger of extinction.  

“We have seen the extinction of dozens of rare and unique mammals, birds and frogs in this country – and Australians are tired of successive Governments not lifting a finger to stop it.

“This Friday, the Inquiry will hear from diverse groups who want to see real action on protecting threatened species and see the Government supporting my bill.”

The inquiry into the EPBC Amendment (Emergency Listings) Bill 2011 is open to the public and will be held 9.00am – 12.15pm Friday, 3 February 2012 at the Committee Offices, Parliament of Victoria, 55 Andrews Place, Melbourne. Senator Waters will also be available for comment after the inquiry.

Media contact: Elissa McKay 0419 626 725