Dr LIM - 2001-10-18
Kim Beazley also wants to halt land clearing as part of his plan for tackling climate change.
Members interjecting.
Dr LIM: Just be quiet and listen to the question. That will be a death blow for the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Does the minister agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands, Planning and Environment): Unfortunately, I missed the first part of the question. I would like the member to repeat it, and I am sure I will be able to answer it.
Dr LIM: Well, I will repeat that, and you can keep quiet.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Let us have a little silence while these members are asking the questions. Slowly, slowly.
Dr LIM: I said, Madam Speaker, that Kim Beazley also wants to halt land clearing as part of his plan for tackling climate change. That would be a death blow to the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Do you, minister, agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I apologise for asking the member to repeat the question.
North Western Australia has not suffered from land clearing like other states in Australia, especially Queensland and some of the southern states. In the Northern Territory especially, we only have 1% of the land cleared, and that was necessary to construct roads and other public works, and also to prepare towns.
I do not believe that, if the federal government in Canberra, either Labor or Liberal, wants to put in some guidelines or legislation with regard to land clearing will affect north Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We have cleared so little of our land that it is not going to affect us.
Members interjecting.
Dr LIM: Just be quiet and listen to the question. That will be a death blow for the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Does the minister agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
Mr VATSKALIS (Lands, Planning and Environment): Unfortunately, I missed the first part of the question. I would like the member to repeat it, and I am sure I will be able to answer it.
Dr LIM: Well, I will repeat that, and you can keep quiet.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Let us have a little silence while these members are asking the questions. Slowly, slowly.
Dr LIM: I said, Madam Speaker, that Kim Beazley also wants to halt land clearing as part of his plan for tackling climate change. That would be a death blow to the development of the second stage of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and the development of further opportunities for agriculture in the Territory. Do you, minister, agree that Kim Beazley’s policy would have a detrimental effect on the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I apologise for asking the member to repeat the question.
North Western Australia has not suffered from land clearing like other states in Australia, especially Queensland and some of the southern states. In the Northern Territory especially, we only have 1% of the land cleared, and that was necessary to construct roads and other public works, and also to prepare towns.
I do not believe that, if the federal government in Canberra, either Labor or Liberal, wants to put in some guidelines or legislation with regard to land clearing will affect north Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We have cleared so little of our land that it is not going to affect us.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016