Environment and Communications References Committee

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck (Liberal), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 December 2023:

The adequacy and fairness of process and compensation to acquire compulsory access to agricultural land, Indigenous land and marine environments for the development of major renewable infrastructure, including wind farms, solar farms and transmission lines, with particular reference to:

(a) power imbalance between Traditional Owners, farmers and fishers with governments and energy companies seeking to compulsorily acquire or access their land or fishing grounds, to:

(i) ensure community benefits are delivered with ongoing supports for communities, including First Peoples,

(ii) ensuring proponents and governments obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent of First Peoples and the protection of cultural heritage, and

(iii) protection of flora and fauna, with particular emphasis on threatened species and habitat corridors;

(b) terms and conditions for compulsory access and acquisition;

(c) fairness of compensation;

(d) options for the development of a fair national approach to access and acquisition;

(e) options to maintain and the ensure the rights of farmers and fishers to maintain and ensure productivity of agriculture and fisheries; and

(f) any other matter.