Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
Added: Feb 10, 2012
The proposed Economic Exclusive Zone legislation has some significant flaws that undermine its environmental purpose the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright told select committee today.
The legislation is intended to regulate activities in the EEZ such as deepwater oil exploration and phosphate mining.
Dr Wright says environmental protection of the EEZ is long overdue but needs to be done well.
“While I welcome this legislation I have some serious concerns about whether it can sufficiently protect this huge area of ocean.
“This legislation should be more focused on the environment; there is other legislation that provides economic balance.