Health groups critical of rushed environment laws
Leading health organisations are deeply concerned about an attempt from the Federal Government to rush through major changes to our environmental laws in order to facilitate an expansion of the gas industry.
The federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley will introduce legislation into the parliament today that will put major fossil fuel projects on an approvals fast-track, and which appear to be an attempt to clear the way for rapid gas expansion, rather than protection for our environment and wildlife.
Fiona Armstrong, Executive Director of the Climate and Health Alliance, the national peak body on health and climate change, said:
"The federal government and complicit states and territories appear to be hell bent on rushing through legislation to expand the gas industry. To do so under the pretext of amended environmental legislation that will actually further our failing environmental protection and biodiversity conservation laws is breathtaking."
A review of the Act, which is underway and not yet completed, recognises that "Australia's natural environment and iconic natural assets are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The current environmental trajectory is unsustainable."
"And yet, the immediate response of the government is to rush through legislation with no consultation, with no apparent benefit for the environment, and the potential
