Environment

Strategic Assessment of Perth and Peel an opportunity we can’t afford to lose

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 19th August 2011, 12:27pm
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The Greens have welcomed the Federal Environment Minister's announcement of a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Perth and Peel Region.


Greens state spokesperson for urban bushland, Alison Xamon MLC, said "a strategic assessment provides an opportunity to fully identify and protect Perth's environmental heritage and world-renowned biodiversity - but it's very important that we get it right".


"I'll also be seeking answers on whether the Minister intends to declare a moratorium on clearing any further urban bushland and wetlands until the strategic assessment is complete."


Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, Greens spokesperson for sustainable cities, said the announcement was an over-due but important step in fixing the state's "shamefully inadequate and compromised protection regimes for urban bushland and biodiversity".

Greens back Browse Basin protest

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Monday 27th June 2011, 5:24pm
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Western Australian Senator Scott Ludlam has urged locals to continue their work to protect the West Kimberley from Woodside's bulldozers for the proposed Browse Basin gas project.


In the Senate last week Senator Ludlam acknowledged the residents' blockade of Minari Road, but said it was "extraordinary" that people had been forced to take action because the company intended to begin damaging activities on site, before Government approvals had been granted.


"People generally put themselves in the way to stop unpopular projects after all avenues have been exhausted, but in this case it is happening before either the State or Federal government has given formal approval - because the company has decided to move in and start land-clearing."


Today Senator Ludlam marked the blockade's 21st day by urging Woodside and the Barnett Government to search for alternative sites outside the Kimberley region and to take genuine action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the project.


Talisman Sabre exercises - Showbags

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Monday 23rd May 2011, 9:15pm
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Additional Estimates, February 2011 - Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio Estimates Question 11
Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator LUDLAM-In the last round of estimates I was asking about the show bags that are being handed out. There was a list provided of what was in them, but we did not get one. I am wondering if we can be provided the materials that are being given to the members of the public relating to the exercise. They are all in the public domain. It is just difficult to get hold of them in here.

Dr Reichelt-That would be easy to do as long as they are still in print. I imagine that they would be-the zone plans and other things that are in the list.
Senator LUDLAM-I would very much appreciate it, thanks.

Answer:

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority handed out zoning maps and information about turtles and dugongs. The brochures were handed out in Rockhampton on 5 July 2009 as part of the Talisman Sabre exercises. This material is attached. Two hard copies will be provided to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

Burrup Peninsula

Question | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 20th May 2011, 12:58pm
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Senate Question No. 219

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 24 November 2010:

With reference to the Burrup (Murujuga) Peninsula which contains more than a million rock art engravings (petroglyphs) estimated to be up to 30 000 years old and, noting that on 3 July 2007 the area was listed as a National Heritage place by the Federal Government, there are concerns about the long delay in nominating the Burrup Peninsula for World Heritage listing, in addition to the continuous damage to the Burrup rock art:

(1) What is the current heritage status of the Burrup Peninsula.

(2) Of the 117 square kilometres covered by the Burrup Peninsula, how much is actually protected by National Heritage listing, as a percentage and surface area.

(3) When will the Aboriginal heritage management plan for the Burrup Peninsula being led by the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs be finalised.

Write to Senator Farrell about a National Container Deposit Scheme

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Australians use more than 11 billion drink containers every year. That’s why Senator Scott Ludlam has drafted legislation to introduce a national container deposit scheme – to put a 10 cent value on beverage containers that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The only thing standing in the way of a national container deposit scheme now is the federal government.


The new Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Waste, Senator Don Farrell has responsibility for this issue.

Please write to him today, using the form below.

If you live in a state that doesn't have a container deposit scheme, you might like to also email your state Premier a copy of the submission you sent to Senator Farrell.

Greens secure emergency Burrup Peninsula heritage assessment

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 2nd March 2011, 4:02pm
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The Australian Greens have won agreement from the Federal Government to conduct an emergency heritage assessment of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia.

"We are pleased that the Government has responded in this way. This is a site of extraordinary environmental and heritage importance," he said.

Senator Ludlam and fellow Greens Senator for Western Australia Rachel Siewert moved a motion in the Senate calling for the emergency assessment, winning the support of the Government and the cross benches.

Beverage industry should support container deposits in NT, not fight them

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Wednesday 23rd February 2011, 4:51pm
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The Australian and Northern Territory Greens have expressed alarm at reports Coca Cola Amatil is threatening the NT Government in a bid to axe the proposed container deposit scheme.

Australian Greens sustainable cities spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said reports that Coca Cola Amatil told the NT Government they would help fund the Opposition's election campaign unless Labor dropped container deposits were "profoundly disturbing".

CLP backflips on NT uranium

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Monday 14th February 2011, 5:08pm
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The Australian and Northern Territory Greens have condemned the call from NT Country Liberal Party members for CLP leaders to abandon their opposition to the Angela Pamela (AP) uranium project.

At the Country Liberals Central Council meeting on the weekend, CLP members backed a motion calling on its leaders to support uranium exploration and mining applications and, worse still, to promote them.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs, Senator Scott Ludlam, said the CLP party was demanding its MPs back flip on a promise made at the time of the Araluen by-election to oppose the uranium mine planned for Alice Springs.

Minister must publicly reveal true position on uranium sales to India

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 10th February 2011, 9:00am
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The Australian Greens have called on resources Minister Martin Ferguson to make a statement to Parliament on his policy on uranium sales to India, and whether it differs from that of the Australian Government.

Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs Senator Scott Ludlam said the Government had recently reaffirmed it would not sell uranium to a country that was not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but leaked documents suggested that Minister Ferguson had different plans.

Uranium mining a black hole for Labor

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 4th February 2011, 3:16pm
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The Australian Greens have urged Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to abandon his support for uranium mining.


Greens spokesperson for nuclear affairs Senator Scott Ludlam said that with or without nuclear power generation in Australia, uranium mining itself was an environmental menace.