Other Issues

17 October 2001

Environmental INTERIM Report Cards of Political Parties

Australian Conservation Foundation, The Wilderness Society, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Total Environment Centre, Conservation Councils of NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, WA, NT & SA

The following INTERIM report cards are an assessment of the performance, policies and commitments of the Coalition, Australian Labor Party, Australian Democrats and The Greens, as of 16 October 2001.

The INTERIM report cards are an assessment against the comprehensive and positive vision for Australia proposed by national, state and regional environment groups prior to the election campaign.

The assessment has been done under the five themes of An Australian Sustainability Reform Agenda: Policy Priorities for the 2001 Federal Election:

It is noted that a number of parties have only released little or part of their environment policies to date. It is intended to release a final report card in the last two weeks of the campaign when all parties policies and commitments have been announced. (References to the EPBC Act are for the national environmental laws, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.)

Coalition

Reducing Greenhouse Pollution and environmental modernisation of the economy- D

Failure to commit to ratify the Kyoto greenhouse pollution protocol worsened by performance at international gatherings, undermining global progress. As other countries put emissions trading and/or carbon tax reforms into place, the Coalition refuses to move until a global system is set up, ensuring Australia will be ill-prepared at that time. Only relevant law, on renewable energy, undermined by poor target, insufficient penalties and support for burning native forests as renewable energy. Despite some tentative energy efficiency measures, Australia remains one of the least energy efficient countries in the OECD. Recognised climate change as a key threatening process to biodiversity under EPBC Act but changed the law so this does not require further action. Only other action discussion papers about a greenhouse approvals trigger and emissions trading. Although the Coalition agreed to provide $1 billion for greenhouse funding over three years, this effort is hamstrung by a voluntary approach and overwhelmed by amount of Commonwealth subsidies for fossil fuel use. The Government's Greenhouse Challenge partnership with industry has failed to deliver any framework for greenhouse pollution reduction. 10% GST increase hindering public transport use, massive subsidies for roads, e.g Scoresby Freeway and opposed fringe benefit tax reforms to equate public and private transport. Hands off approach to business has meant little government support beyond rhetoric for sustainability reforms.

Controlling landclearing, tackling salinity and repairing the country C-

Failed to introduce national laws to control landclearing, the primary cause of salinity and biodiversity loss. Has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on tree planting schemes but for every tree planted 100 are cleared. Has listed landclearing as Key Threatening Process under EPBC Act but changed the law so this does not require further action. Some Threatened Ecological Communities have been listed as endangered which was welcome but does not amount to a comprehensive response. Needs stronger strategic guidance on spending of public dollars. Has made tentative first steps in this direction with a framework for state compliance and targets in salinity action plan agreed with state premiers but the plan is underfunded and still inoperative. While plans to extend Natural Heritage Trust from core funds is positive and there are signs it will be more strategically applied, the planned investment is way short of what is needed and has refused to consider a Medicare style environmental levy. Despite helping to put them on the agenda, failed to be a serious player in returning environmental flows to the Murray and overall approach still dominated by "it's a state problem" approach rather than Federal/state mutual obligation. Efforts by Environment Minister to publicly discuss environmental flows quashed by pro-industry colleagues.

Commitment to Protect Forests, Marine Environment and Great Natural Areas D (Marine B- lifting otherwise very poor performance)

Appalling native forest record approving flawed regional forest agreements in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania (which now exports record woodchips), obstructing positive solutions in Queensland and WA, and pushing incentives to burn native forests as renewable energy. The Coalition has performed better than any previous government on marine issues. Has introduced separate sustainability assessments for international and export fisheries and efforts to prevent whaling and promote international sanctuaries commendable. Proclaimed a number of new marine protected areas although these are predominantly multiple use with very few no take areas. Is in danger of losing early positive focus on Oceans Policy, which it commendably introduced, and failed to rule out oil exploration off the Great Barrier Reef or in sensitive areas of the Great Australian Bight. Although providing funding for Cape York, the Coalition has not funded purchase of properties for protection and opposed the heads of agreement process of Aborigines, pastoralists and conservationists. Inaction on development in Daintree rainforests. Aggressive support for uranium mine in Kakadu national park.

Nuclear Free Australia D-

Aggressive supporter of this toxic industry. Has entered into contracts for the construction of a second reactor in Sydney without adequate assessment including no proper consideration of alternatives and no clear idea of how to manage resulting radioactive waste. Postponed plans for waste dumps in SA until after the election due to intense community opposition. Approved groundwater poisoning method of uranium mining that wouldn't be accepted in the USA or other OECD nations.

National and International Environmental Leadership D

Introduced deficient national environmental laws which failed to address greenhouse pollution, landclearing or river flows; included the capacity to hand on key approval decisions to states; limited assessment of environmental impacts; diminished the standard of care for world heritage properties and excluded native forests from protections. Benefits include greater involvement of the Environment Minister, increased transparency, new protection for Ramsar wetlands, extension of threatened species provisions beyond Commonwealth land and improved management planning. Performance on international stage mirror other sectors where it has sought to remove Australia from international scrutiny, obstructed discussions or refused to implement treaties including world heritage, greenhouse pollution, biosafety and persistent organic pollutants. As noted above, has played a positive role at international whaling meetings. Regional efforts to promote ecological sustainability given limited priority when compared with aid for inappropriate infrastructure and programs. Funding for voluntary environment advocacy organisations has declined markedly, and been restricted in scope.

Australian Labor Party

Reducing Greenhouse Pollution and environmental modernisation of the economy B-

Has committed to ratify the Kyoto greenhouse pollution protocol before the World Conference on Sustainable Development in 2002 and promised legislation to implement the protocol provisions domestically. It has also promised a greenhouse trigger in the EPBC Act (although their 500 000 CO2 tonne threshhold is too high), energy efficiency measures, concessional loans for investment in efficiency and renewables, and a voluntary emissions trading scheme. The proposed trading scheme is only voluntary, the energy efficiency measures have no clear target and there is no commitment to increasing the renewables' target. It is committed to some sustainability institutional arrangements including a Commissioner for the Environment, a Sustainability Office in the Prime Ministers Department and a national sustainability indicator. No plans on removing GST from public transport and continue to support massive road subsidies.

Controlling landclearing, tackling salinity and repairing the country B-

Has committed to arresting the long term decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation in Australia by 2005. To do this it has promised funding and policy including triggering the EPBC Act for clearing more than 1000ha within two years. This trigger needs improvement and more detail is needed on implementation but the commitment to national controls is an important start. Labor has promised to establish a National Strategy to Combat Salinity with clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the various tiers of government and a coordination role for CoAG on salinity and other natural resource management issues. This includes reform of Natural Heritage Trust and National Salinity Action Plan to make funding allocation to states dependent on environmental outcomes. Substantially more funding investment is required to tackle salinity and there is no commitment to greater budget outlays or an environmental health levy to raise the needed funds. Suggesting some reform for Murray Darling Basin Commission,a review of the Murray Darling Basin Agreement and a commitment towards identifying and achieving environmental flows but no clear or interim target for the Murray.

Commitment to Protect Forests, Marine Environment and Great Natural Areas D+

Labor's stance on forests is only marginally better than the Coalition's having supported good state Labor government initiatives in WA and Queensland. However, in other states it continues to support the flawed RFA process and the burning of native forests as renewable energy. ALP's refusal to allow the Regional Forest Agreements Bill to be rushed through in the last days of the Parliament was important. On marine issues it has less policy and commitments than the government. This is a weak area for Labor. Although it commenced the Ocean Rescue program which laid basis for Oceans Policy, there is no indication of support for an Oceans Act, marine protected areas with significant no take areas or for independent sustainability assessments of fisheries. It has however, opposed some threats to the Great Barrier Reef but not in an adequate comprehensive framework. On terrestrial icon areas such as Cape York Peninsula and Kakadu its policies to protect and to eliminate threats is superior to the government's. Labor supports the Cape York Peninsula Heads of Agreement process and is opposed to the Jabiluka Uranium Mine in Kakadu National Park.

Nuclear Free Australia C+

Does not support Government's proposal for new nuclear reactor in Sydney but has not ruled out one at this site or elsewhere in Australia. Have ruled out imposition of national radioactive waste dumps in SA but have not committed to a detailed public inquiry into radioactive waste management. The ALP oppose the development of any new uranium mines including the Jabiluka project in Kakadu National Park.

National and International Environmental Leadership C+

Has stated in Parliament that it will amend and improve certain aspects of EPBC Act adding greenhouse and landclearing triggers and removing capacity to hand over approval powers. Supports strengthened Heritage laws. Foreign affairs policy contains a strong statement of commitment to environmental sustainability in the region. Has not supported five year freeze on release of GE organisms and supported Government's weak gene technology regulation legislation but is calling for improved labelling laws. No commitment on funding for voluntary environment advocacy organisations.

Democrats

The Democrats score has been affected by past agreements with the Government over GST/Diesel fuel rebates and the EPBC Act but recent performance under Natasha Stott-Despoja has improved considerably.

Reducing Greenhouse Pollution and environmental modernisation of the economy B

Consistent advocacy and action in the Senate on need to cut greenhouse pollution marred by agreement with Government on GST and diesel fuel rebates with increased subsidies for diesel and fuel. As well as pollution considerations, the diesel fuel rebate supports land clearing, logging and mining activities. This agreement did provide funds for renewables and greenhouse gas abatement, some of which the Government has twisted to further subsidise fossil fuels. Strong supporter of recommended institutional reforms.

Controlling landclearing, tackling salinity and repairing the country A

Has been strong advocate of bushland clearing controls in Queensland and helped negotiate taxation improvements for private land conservation. Supportive of all recommended reforms.

Commitment to Protect Forests, Marine Environment and Great Natural Areas B

Policy support for old growth forest protection and opposed incentives to burn native forests for renewable energy. Despite failing to get Government or ALP to support their forests trigger, supported an EPBC Act without protection for native forests. Was critical in opposition to regional forest agreements legislation. Consistent advocate of protection for marine environment and great natural areas, particularly strong defence of Kakadu National Park from uranium mining.

Nuclear Free Australia A

Oppose a new nuclear reactor anywhere in Australia, would not allow any new uranium mines and would close all existing uranium mines. Will ensure that all existing radioactive wastes are safely stored. Failed to cement the legislative prohibition on the development of nuclear power, enrichment and reprocessing in Australia in its amendments to the EPBC Act, in fact weakening the nuclear actions section of the original bill. The Democrats have been very active in tackling nuclear issues in the Parliament and strong opponent of Jabiluka uranium project.

National and International Environmental Leadership B

Support for inadequately amended EPBC Act significantly marred an otherwise strong performance(See comments in Coalition scorecard on this issue). Policy does support all necessary reforms. Opposition to national five year freeze on GE releases and support of a state based approach a concern but has been strong in all other areas of GE regulation. Consistently strong advocate for international environment leadership and promoted legislation applying code of conduct on Australian corporations operating overseas. Strong supporter of environment groups funding and independence.

Australian Greens

Reducing Greenhouse Pollution and environmental modernisation of the economy A

Strong supporter of initiatives to reduce greenhouse pollution and consistent opponent of subsidies to fossil fuel industry. Policy difference in that it advocates carbon tax as revenue generator rather than as revenue neutral.

Controlling landclearing, tackling salinity and repairing the country A+

Strong and consistent supporter of all recommendations

Commitment to Protect Forests, Marine Environment and Great Natural Areas A+

Advocates protection of all old growth and high conservation value forests and opponent of regional forest agreements. Have been strong defenders of marine environment and great natural areas. Supportive of all recommendations.

Nuclear Free Australia A+

Opposed to a new nuclear reactor anywhere in Australia, would not allow any new uranium mines and would close all existing mines. They support the storage of nuclear waste on-site, in secure above ground, well monitored, durable labelled containers. The Greens have been very active on nuclear issues in the Federal Parliament.

National and International Environmental Leadership A+

Vigorous opponent of deficiencies of the EPBC Act and opposed its passage. Initiated international workshop in lead up to next years international environmental conference in Johannesburg, Rio+10. Supports legislation governing social and environmental performance of Australian companies operating overseas. Advocate of strong GEO regulation and supports five year freeze. Strong supporter of environment groups funding and independence.

For further information:
Australian Conservation Foundation:
Don Henry 0418 501 395 or
John Connor 0409 935 044
Greenpeace: Peter Mullens, 0412 188 278
The Wilderness Society: Alec Marr 0417 229 670
Conservation councils: Kathy Ridge, 0438 899774
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

Back to top