PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS: Environment: Parks, Conservation Areas and Reserves

26 March 2003

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler) (5.18 p.m.) —I support the decision of the Carr Labor government to declare 65,000 hectares of land as 15 new national parks, state conservation areas and state forest reserves. The Carr Labor government has got the balance between jobs and the environment right. Sustainable development means that in the long run you protect the environment but you also ensure that jobs are created, including value adding jobs. I would prefer to have the sorts of decisions made by the New South Wales environment minister, Bob Debus, and my friend the secretary of the CFMEU forestry division, Craig Smith, who have worked together in partnership to ensure the best result for the environment and the best result for jobs.

This decision has got the support of people from New South Wales—such as, since the election on 22 March, the new state Labor member for Monaro, Steve Whan, who will continue the work that Labor state members have done—which is why Labor has got such massive endorsement right across New South Wales. We have seen National Party and Liberal Party members rejected in regional New South Wales and again we saw the loss of Tamworth to another Independent, joining Independents in Northern Tablelands and Dubbo.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. I.R. Causley)—Order! The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is therefore adjourned and will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. The honourable member for Grayndler will have leave to continue his remarks when the debate is resumed.