The Hon Tony Burke MP

Recent Speaker

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

August 24, 2011

11.30am - 1.30pm

"The Future of Environmental Protection in Australia"

Imagine someone today calling for new mines in Kakadu National Park, or a dam to be built on the Franklin River, or clear felling in the Daintree.  In recent decades these were all real environmental threats against which Australian Labor Governments fought – and won.  Tony Burke outlines how the Gillard Labor Government will continue to build on the environmental legacy of previous Labor Governments.  This includes the rare opportunities before us in three corners of Australia: the Kimberley, Cape York and Tasmania.  He will also release the Government response to a review of national environmental law and announce reforms to strengthen environmental protections, while cutting red tape for business.

 

As the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Tony is working to build on the environmental legacy of previous Labor Governments.

Australia is home to stunning wilderness areas, rugged coastlines, desert landscapes and rainforests. Labor Governments have a long record of fighting to protect the environment for future generations. In the face of threats such as climate change, Tony will continue to act to preserve our unique environment.
This will include working to help implement the historic agreement between Federal and State Labor Governments to protect the state’s ancient forests while providing certainty for Tasmania’s forestry industry.

Tony supports Indigenous Rangers in their work managing our natural resources on land and sea. And he is working to deliver on the Gillard Government's election commitment to create new wildlife corridors linking National Parks and reserves with private land.

For generations, Australians have understood the need for National Parks. But our oceans contain many iconic and fragile sites which deserve protection too. Tony is committed to establishing a network of marine reserves, in consultation with communities, to ensure our oceans remain healthy and productive.

Tony is also working to deliver water reform in the Murray Darling Basin after decades of delay.  The Gillard Government wants Murray Darling Basin reform to deliver three key outcomes: a healthy river system, sustainable food production and to drive strong regional communities.

Through the nation's first ever dedicated sustainable population strategy, Tony has set out the framework for a sustainable Australia. It outlines future directions for improving the mix of services, job and skilled training opportunities and affordable housing to boost the liveability of our cities and regions to ensure they are places people want to live, work and build a future.

Previously, Tony was Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. On election to the Parliament, Tony was placed immediately on the front bench as Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Immigration.

As Agriculture Minister, Tony stepped in and abolished the bulk wheat export monopoly after the AWB scandal and reformed drought assistance through providing better long-term support for the nation's farmers.

He has also served as a Member of the NSW Legislative Council and chaired its State Development Committee.