❓ Premier Cook outlines the government's environmental achievements, including ending native forest logging, supporting Murujuga World Heritage listing, creating new conservation estate, and establishing a marine park at Exmouth Gulf. The announcement was met with interjections from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 405Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Environment—Government performance
405. Ms Divina D'Anna to
the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to protecting and restoring the Western
Australian environment.
(1) Can the Premier outline to the house how this
government's efforts are delivering real outcomes for the environment?
(2) Can the Premier update the house on how the
government is building on its work to expand the conservation estate?
405. Ms Divina D'Anna to
the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to protecting and restoring the Western
Australian environment.
(1) Can the Premier outline to the house how this
government's efforts are delivering real outcomes for the environment?
(2) Can the Premier update the house on how the
government is building on its work to expand the conservation estate?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Kimberley for the question. As is the case with our
economy, WA's lifestyle is the envy of the nation. As is the case with our
strong economy, we want to keep our lifestyle strong. As a government, we are
committed to protecting and restoring our environment for future generations to
enjoy. Let us have a little taster of some of that work. I am proud that
together we have ended native forest logging, supported the Murujuga Aboriginal
Corporation to achieve World Heritage listing for the Murujuga and its
world-class rock art, and created more than 6.5 million hectares of new
conservation estate, including the South Coast Marine Park. But our job is not
done.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Mr Roger Cook: On Friday, I joined the Minister for
the Environment, Hon Matthew Swinbourn, and of course the local member, Mr
Kevin Michel—
Mr Shane Love: Why doesn't he ask the question?
Mr Roger Cook: Because, member, he asked the question
yesterday. We have to share them around. But we are doing so much for the
Pilbara—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: We are doing so much for the Pilbara,
we cannot have every question come from him.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: Look at them all! Look at the
backbench!
Ms Rita Saffioti: There's too many!
Mr Roger Cook: There are so many of them. We have to
share it around! We have to share it around, Mr Speaker. There are so many
backbenchers.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: On Friday, I stood with Hon Matt
Swinbourn, Minister for the Environment, and the local member for the Pilbara
in sunny Exmouth, side by side with the traditional owners, to build on our
government's work to protect and restore the environment. Exmouth Gulf is home
to one of the most extraordinary and unique marine ecosystems on earth, and it
deserves to be protected for generations to come. That is why we announced our
government will establish a whole-of-gulf marine park. This marine park will be
jointly managed with the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation to
protect its cultural and environmental value while supporting the gulf's
ongoing social and economic use. It is proposed that at least 30% of the marine
park will be designated a sanctuary zone, providing the highest level of
protection for the most ecologically sensitive areas in the gulf. A carefully
zoned and properly managed marine park will help us to achieve strong
environmental, social and economic outcomes for the long-term benefit of
Exmouth locals and the whole WA community. Importantly, our commitment will
deliver on a key recommendation from the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce's final report.
For two years, the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce has worked to deliver a clear message
that the gulf deserves whole-of-gulf protection, and now our government will
proudly deliver on that vision. As planning and consultation begins, our
commitment is simple. Sustainable economic development can continue. Managed
commercial fishing can continue. Sustainable recreational fishing and tourism
can continue, and the gulf's environment will continue to thrive. Establishing
a marine park at Exmouth Gulf is a bold step, but it is another step we take
together.
Members, as a government
that is committed to protecting and restoring our environment for future
generations, this is a proud day, and we are very pleased to be able to make this
announcement—another part of WA Labor's legacy in protecting our
environment for future generations of Western Australians.
Visitors
The Speaker: Before I give you the call, member for
Cottesloe, on behalf of the member for Rockingham, I welcome the staff and student
leaders from Charthouse Primary School up in our gallery today.
thank the member for Kimberley for the question. As is the case with our
economy, WA's lifestyle is the envy of the nation. As is the case with our
strong economy, we want to keep our lifestyle strong. As a government, we are
committed to protecting and restoring our environment for future generations to
enjoy. Let us have a little taster of some of that work. I am proud that
together we have ended native forest logging, supported the Murujuga Aboriginal
Corporation to achieve World Heritage listing for the Murujuga and its
world-class rock art, and created more than 6.5 million hectares of new
conservation estate, including the South Coast Marine Park. But our job is not
done.
Mr Lachlan Hunter interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Central Wheatbelt!
Mr Roger Cook: On Friday, I joined the Minister for
the Environment, Hon Matthew Swinbourn, and of course the local member, Mr
Kevin Michel—
Mr Shane Love: Why doesn't he ask the question?
Mr Roger Cook: Because, member, he asked the question
yesterday. We have to share them around. But we are doing so much for the
Pilbara—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: We are doing so much for the Pilbara,
we cannot have every question come from him.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Roger Cook: Look at them all! Look at the
backbench!
Ms Rita Saffioti: There's too many!
Mr Roger Cook: There are so many of them. We have to
share it around! We have to share it around, Mr Speaker. There are so many
backbenchers.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Mr Roger Cook: On Friday, I stood with Hon Matt
Swinbourn, Minister for the Environment, and the local member for the Pilbara
in sunny Exmouth, side by side with the traditional owners, to build on our
government's work to protect and restore the environment. Exmouth Gulf is home
to one of the most extraordinary and unique marine ecosystems on earth, and it
deserves to be protected for generations to come. That is why we announced our
government will establish a whole-of-gulf marine park. This marine park will be
jointly managed with the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation to
protect its cultural and environmental value while supporting the gulf's
ongoing social and economic use. It is proposed that at least 30% of the marine
park will be designated a sanctuary zone, providing the highest level of
protection for the most ecologically sensitive areas in the gulf. A carefully
zoned and properly managed marine park will help us to achieve strong
environmental, social and economic outcomes for the long-term benefit of
Exmouth locals and the whole WA community. Importantly, our commitment will
deliver on a key recommendation from the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce's final report.
For two years, the Exmouth Gulf Taskforce has worked to deliver a clear message
that the gulf deserves whole-of-gulf protection, and now our government will
proudly deliver on that vision. As planning and consultation begins, our
commitment is simple. Sustainable economic development can continue. Managed
commercial fishing can continue. Sustainable recreational fishing and tourism
can continue, and the gulf's environment will continue to thrive. Establishing
a marine park at Exmouth Gulf is a bold step, but it is another step we take
together.
Members, as a government
that is committed to protecting and restoring our environment for future
generations, this is a proud day, and we are very pleased to be able to make this
announcement—another part of WA Labor's legacy in protecting our
environment for future generations of Western Australians.
Visitors
The Speaker: Before I give you the call, member for
Cottesloe, on behalf of the member for Rockingham, I welcome the staff and student
leaders from Charthouse Primary School up in our gallery today.
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