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Committee's Report

The committee tabled its Report No. 16, Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 on 26 April 2019.  The Bill was passed on 19 September 2019.

View:    Report
View:    Introductory speech
View:    Bill
View:    Explanatory Notes
View:    Debate of the Bill in Parliament:
             17 September 2019 - transcript (pages 2829 - 2831 and 2842 - 2867)
             18 September 2019 - transcript (pages 2918 - 2986)
             19 September 2019 - transcript (pages 3024 - 3036 and 3048 - 3050)
The debate can be viewed by clicking on the movie icon  within the transcript

About the Bill

On 27 February 2019 the Hon Leeanne Enoch MP, Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts introduced the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 into the Queensland Parliament.  The Bill was referred to the Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee for detailed consideration.  

According to the explanatory notes, the primary policy objective of the Bill is to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to strengthen Great Barrier Reef protection measures to improve the quality of the water entering the Great Barrier Reef.

The Bill will achieve its objectives through a regulatory framework that ensures:

• The Reef water quality targets for nutrients and sediments are taken into account in regulatory decision-making.
• The broad application of minimum regulated standards to eliminate high risk practices that contribute to excess nutrient and sediment run-off.
• Producers move to standards that align with recognised benchmarks for agricultural industries, under the Paddock to Reef Water Quality Risk Framework, while maintaining productivity and profitability.
• New development can occur without compromising the water quality gains made to date, while also minimising the regulatory burden on existing activities.
• Good performers that utilise practices with low water quality risks are recognised and rewarded.
• Existing industry-led best management practice (BMP) programs or the development of new programs can provide participants with an alternative pathway for meeting regulatory requirements.

The Bill also contains amendments to give effect to the Common Assessment Method for Threatened Species, and amends wildlife classes to be consistent with the method through amendments to the Biodiscovery Act 2004, Fisheries Act 1994, Nature Conservation Act 1992, and the Vegetation Management Act 1999.Public hearings and briefing

The committee held a public hearing and departmental briefing on Monday 25 March 2019 at the Parliamentary Annexe in Brisbane.  Regional hearings were also held in April in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Bundaberg.  See timeline below for transcript links or go to the 'Related Publications' tab.

Timeline

Submissions closed:    Friday 15 March 2019, 5:00pm
Public briefing:            Brisbane –25 March 2019 – Transcript*
Public hearing(s):         Brisbane – 25 March 2019 – Transcript*
Regional Hearings:      Cairns – 9 April 2019 – Transcript*
                                       Townsville – 10 April 2019 – Transcript*
                                       Mackay – 11 April 2019 – Transcript*
                                       Bundaberg – 12 April 2019 – Transcript*
* Tabled papers and responses to Questions Taken on Notice at hearings can be found under the 'Related Publications' tab and the relevant transcript.
Report tabled:             Friday, 26 April 2019 – Report

Related Information

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Live and archived broadcasts of public briefings and hearings can be accessed here.