GetUp should get their facts straight on the reef

Claims made by GetUp that the government has rushed the environmental assessment process for onshore land disposal at Abbot Point are completely false.   A decision has not been made. The assessment and approvals process will be considered in time, according to federal processes and federal law.   GetUp ignores the truth either due to…

Government response to the Home Insulation Program Royal Commission

The Government is today announcing its response to the Home Insulation Program Royal Commission to address the failings of the previous government.   The Home Insulation Program ran from 2009 to 2010.  It resulted in the tragic loss of four young men, damage to many existing businesses and houses destroyed by fire.   In December…

Community groups to benefit from Solar Towns Programme

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH ERIC HUTCHINSON MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYONS Eight community groups across Tasmania will be the first to receive grants to assist with the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems through the Solar Towns Programme. “These grants are part of a commitment by the Government to install renewable energy systems on…

Australia forges ahead in scientific research in Antarctica

I was privileged to have the opportunity to go to Antarctica recently to see the scientific research being conducted there. As Minister for the Environment, I have responsibility for Australia’s Antarctic policy. The visit was a tremendous chance to see how the Australian Antarctic Division works and the research being conducted there. I took part…

A One-Stop Shop for the Northern Territory makes it 8 out of 8

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON GARY HIGGINS MLA, NT MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have signed a new bilateral agreement for environmental assessments as part of the One-Stop Shop reform. This means that all states and territories now have new bilateral agreements in place for environmental assessment. The agreement accredits…

Packaging Waste and Litter Analysis Released

The Australian Government, in conjunction with State and Territory Governments today released the Packaging Impacts Decision Regulation Impact Statement. This statement analyses ten options to manage packaging waste and litter, including container deposit and industry-based approaches. The release of the Packaging Impacts Decision Regulation Impact Statement finalises an investigation by Australia’s Environment Ministers on the…

Solar Towns Programme grants open in Surf Coast shire

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH SARAH HENDERSON MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE Community groups in Victoria’s Surf Coast shire are now able to apply for grants through the Solar Towns Programme. “These grants are part of a commitment by the Government to install renewable energy systems on buildings that provide support for the local community,” Federal…

Streamlining environmental approvals in Western Australia

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON ALBERT JACOB, WA MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT The Western Australian and Australian Governments are now one step closer to creating a One-Stop Shop for environmental assessments and approvals. Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Western Australian Minister for Environment Albert Jacob today released a draft bilateral agreement on environmental approvals…

Christmas comes early for landcare

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON BARNABY JOYCE MP, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE Almost 300 community groups and individuals across Australia will share in $5 million to enable communities to take practical action as part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, today announced the…

Farmers keen to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef

Queensland’s cane farmers have responded enthusiastically to a call for expressions of interest in the Australian Government’s $5 million Reef Trust Tender—Wet Tropics programme. The expression of interest phase of the programme closed today with an overwhelming response, with over 200 EOIs submitted by Wet Tropics cane farmers. This is positive news for the ongoing…