Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development) Bill 2012

The majority voted against a Greens amendment moved by Senator Larissa Waters.

The amendment stated that members of the Committee created by this bill should have at least three years tenure but not more than five years. Senator Waters argues that this amendment would ensure the independence of the Committee.(Read Senator Waters explanation of the amendment here. This amendment is referred to as Greens amendment (12) in the debate and was introduced at 8 pm. )

Background to the bill

The bill establishes an Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development ('the Committee')(Read more about the Committee here. ) to provide federal, state and territory governments with scientific advice on coal seam gas and large coal mining developments which may have significant impacts on water resources.(See here for explanatory memoranda and proposed amendments.)

References