Monitoring rainforests: the building blocks for action

The Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit in Sydney on 11–12 November will identify practical ways of reducing Asia-Pacific rainforest loss to help cut global greenhouse gas emissions and protect tropical rainforests. Organised by the Australian Government, ministers from rainforest countries in the region and leaders from business, international organisations and civil society will attend the Summit. Hosting…

South Australia’s Millicent Mill wins Environment Minister’s Award

South Australian manufacturer Kimberley-Clark Australia has won this year’s Environment Minister’s Award for a Cleaner Environment. I was pleased to present the award today at the Banksia Foundation’s Sustainability Awards ceremony in Sydney. Kimberley-Clark has been recognised for its commitment to creating a sustainable regional community around its Millicent Mill facility and for outstanding results…

Australian funding to combat illegal logging in Asia-Pacific

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON JULIE BISHOP MP, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS & SENATOR RICHARD COLBECK, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE The Australian Government is increasing its commitment to the sustainable management and recovery of rainforests in the Asia-Pacific with the announcement today of $6 million from Australia’s aid program.   This funding…

Whale viewing platforms provide boost for Kilcunda

Tourists, locals and enthusiastic whale watchers in Kilcunda will now have a better view of migrating whales as they travel up and down our coast with $25,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s Whale Trail initiative. The Whale Trail initiative provides Commonwealth funding to the local community to help build whale viewing platforms and interpretive…

Government welcomes additional assistance for Aspitech

The Federal Government welcomes the announcement that South Australian support organisation, Minda, will provide additional assistance to Aspitech. Aspitech is an Australian Disability Enterprise that employs 140 workers. The organisation provides e-waste recycling services as part of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme. Last month Aspitech faced closure but the Federal Government stepped in…

Central Coast Green Army teams hit the ground

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH KAREN MCNAMARA MP, MEMBER FOR DOBELL Young locals on the New South Wales Central Coast are taking up the opportunity to be a part of the Australian Government’s Green Army Programme to help communities deliver important local conservation outcomes. Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara,…

$3.3 million boost for Tuggerah Lakes

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH KAREN MCNAMARA MP, MEMBER FOR DOBELL Tuggerah Lakes on the New South Wales Central coast will benefit from a $3.3 million boost as part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme. Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara, today visited the Tuggerah Lakes estuary on the…

Animator receives Antarctic Arts Fellowship

Australian animator and producer Jilli Rose is the 2014 Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow. Each year, the Australian Government awards an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship to enable those with a non-science focus to experience Antarctica first-hand so they can communicate this unique experience and understanding to other Australians. The recipient of this year’s Fellowship, Jilli Rose,…

Emissions Reduction Fund passes Senate

This morning the Senate has passed legislation to put in place the Emissions Reduction Fund. For nearly five years the Emissions Reduction Fund has been the centrepiece of the Coalition’s plan to tackle climate change. It is a cost¬ effective and practical approach that will reduce our national emissions without a multi-billion dollar carbon tax.…