Newsletter date: 20 August 2015
Contents:
* Audio Interview: Mornings with Steve Austin, ABC Queensland: The Greens are calling it an attack on democracy [featuring Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters]
* News Analysis: SBS News: Government's green law changes face broad opposition
* News Analysis: Peter Hannam, Sydney Morning Herald: Great Barrier Reef and other icons at risk from proposed law change: green groups
* Bio: Peter Hannam - Environment - Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/by/Peter-Hannam
* News Analysis: Lydia Burton & Craig Zonca, ABC Rural: Queensland farmer criticises Federal Government plan to limit environmental objections
* Bio: Lydia Burton - ABC Rural: http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/lydia-burton/5366136
* Bio: Craig Zonca - ABC Rural: http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/craig-zonca/5209380
* Background:
WGAR Background: Wangan & Jagalingou Traditional Owners reject Adani's coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin
WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement
WGAR News postings on Indymedia Australia: https://indymedia.org.au/newswire
WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
- Audio Interview
Mornings with Steve Austin, ABC Queensland: The Greens are calling it an attack on democracy [featuring Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters]
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2015/08/the-greens-are-calling-it-an-...
19 Aug 15: "The Federal Government is moving to strike out laws that allow green groups to challenge development consent for major projects, unless they have a direct interest. By removing section 487 of the Environment Protection and Biodivisersity Act, legal action against projects like for example the Adani coal mine here in queensland, would return to common law. This means litigants would have to have a direct interest in the case to be given the same rights as landholders would would be impacted by a project. Tony Abbott says it's about standing up for the workers in Australia. The Greens say it's a dummy spit from the government. ... "
- News Analysis
SBS News: Government's green law changes face broad opposition
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/08/19/governments-green-law-chan...
19 Aug 15: "The Abbott government faces strong opposition to its plans to stop third party green groups from challenging mining project approvals. ... The federal government is under fire from Labor, key Senate crossbenchers, environmentalists and even one of its own MPs over plans to limit legal challenges to big mining projects. ... Labor dismissed as "outrageous" the claim environmental protection laws were costing jobs, ... Australian Conservation Foundation president Geoff Cousins rejected suggestions green groups were acting like vigilantes by taking legal action against mining projects. "It's not lawfare, it's fair law," he told ABC radio. ... " Source: AAP
- News Analysis
Sydney Morning Herald: Great Barrier Reef and other icons at risk from proposed law change: green groups
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/great-barrier-reef-and-other-icons-at-...
19 Aug 15: "The Abbott government's proposed change to a key environmental protection law is an anti-democratic move that could put Australia's famous natural heritage sites at risk, green groups say. Eight leading non-profit environmental organisations gathered in Sydney on Wednesday to oppose the federal government's plan to abolish section 487 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. ... World Wild Fund for Nature chief executive Dermot O'Gorman said laws such as the EPBC Act were fundamental to a democratic society, giving the public a chance to exercise checks and balances on big companies. ... " Peter Hannam, Environment Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald
- Bio
Peter Hannam - Environment - Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/by/Peter-Hannam
"Peter Hannam covers broad environmental issues ranging from climate change to renewable energy for Fairfax Media. ... "
- News Analysis
ABC Rural: Queensland farmer criticises Federal Government plan to limit environmental objections
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-19/federal-government-environment-pro...
19 Aug 15: "A Queensland grazier is calling on the Federal Government to scrap plans to stop environmental groups from launching legal action to block mining developments. ... Shontae Moran, who farms near Clermont and has led a landholder group in protesting against Galilee Basin mine projects, said the Federal Government should instead focus on improving the approvals process for major developments. ... Ms Moran argued third parties should retain the right to object to or appeal against major projects, like mines. "I think if there are reasonable grounds and if the process has failed in the first place, there is that opportunity," she said. ... " By Lydia Burton and Craig Zonca
- Bios
Lydia Burton - ABC Rural
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/lydia-burton/5366136
"Lydia Burton had the privilege of growing up in regional Queensland, where her family has run cattle in both Dalby and now Barcaldine (locally known as Barcy). Growing up with a love for livestock and the land, Lydia wanted a career which allowed her to travel to properties and talk to graziers – she thought the only job that allowed this ambition was to be a livestock agent like her dad! How grateful he was that she found an alternative. ... Lydia is filling in as the Rural Reporter for ABC Western Queensland. ... "
Craig Zonca - ABC Rural
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/craig-zonca/5209380
"Craig's packed plenty into the past few years at the ABC and lives for the fun and frivolity that happens at the press of the microphone's 'on' button. Since joining Aunty in 2003, he's finished a uni degree, trekked to Machu Picchu, downed a stein at Oktoberfest, lived his rock and roll high school dream to go on tour with a band and ... "
- Background:
WGAR Background: Wangan & Jagalingou Traditional Owners reject Adani's coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin
https://indymedia.org.au/2015/06/01/wgar-background-wangan-jagalingou-tr...
(last updated: 18 August 2015)
WGAR Background to the Aboriginal Sovereignty Movement
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-to-the-aboriginal-so...
(last updated: 19 August 2015)
- - -
WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
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