Items Tagged With "Environment"

Environment Minister Peter Garrett today introduced a new bill into the House of Representatives to allow the continuation of recreational fishing of mako and porbeagle sharks.

Mr Garrett said the amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provide for a balance between protecting the shark species in a way that reflects our national circumstances and does not disproportionately affect recreational fishers.

The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, says applications for the Australian Government’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagships program reflect the strong commitment to solar innovation within Australian industry.

Fifty-two applications have been received for grants to construct large-scale solar power stations in Australia. 

Scientists from CSIRO and the Western Australian Government have discovered a new species of stingray (Neotrygon sp.) in the Ningaloo Marine Park.

Welcoming news of the find today, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said the discovery reaffirms the critical role scientific research plays in understanding the incredible biodiversity of Australia’s vast marine territories.

Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, has welcomed a regional conference on environmental crime and anti-money laundering, which is being held in Wollongong until the 26th of February.

"This conference is an important and innovative step in working with our regional neighbours to target the organisers and beneficiaries of environmental crime, particularly illegal logging and fishing, by using anti-money laundering systems", Mr 'Connor said.

The Government today announced a series of changes to the administration of the environmental programs to boost safety and improve environmental performance.

These changes are aimed at boosting safety for households and safety for the workers whose employment is funded by these important environmental programs.

The changes announced by the Government today include:

A concerted focus on biodiversity for the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) program will mark the International Year of Biodiversity, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced today.

The Australian Government program provides more than $20 million each year for environmental research in Australia. The first stage of CERF, which began in 2006, ends in June 2010.

Yesterday I instructed the Secretary of my Department to immediately implement an independent external process of inquiry specifically in relation to all contractual agreements and procurement processes entered into during the final design and implementation of the Green Loans program. 

That inquiry will build on a process already underway to immediately audit the assessor accreditation process and adherence to the terms of the Protocol for Assessor Accrediting Organisations between the Department and the accrediting organisation.

*Release with Tony Burke

The Rudd Government today launched a new multi-million dollar research initiative to boost productivity and reduce carbon emissions across Australia’s agricultural and forestry sectors.

In a national first, the Commonwealth and Victorian governments have agreed on a process to cut red tape and streamline environmental assessments in the implementation of the Victorian Government’s Delivering Melbourne’s newest sustainable communities program.

The program, aimed at accommodating Melbourne’s growing population over the next 20 years, has been assessed through a ‘strategic assessment’ process under the national environment law to enable sustainable, long-term development that safeguards the environment.