Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013

The majority voted against a Greens Party amendment that has three parts:

• The first part is retrospective so that certain previously approved developments are subject to the water provisions contained in this bill;
• The second part is aimed at ensuring that the federal government retains final veto power against state governments;
• The final part is aimed at protecting national parks.

The amendment was introduced by Greens Senator Larissa Waters.

Background to the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to protect water resources from significant impacts caused by coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.(See here for more information about the bill, including its explanatory memorandum and bills digest.) This is called a ‘water trigger’. The bill creates penalties and offences to prohibit such actions.

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