BY CHRIS LATHAM
On June 22, delegates at the Western Australian state conference of the Labor Party passed a motion that opposed the construction of a marina near Coral Bay.
The motion recognised the development's “potential to impact severely on the value of Ningaloo Reef and adjacent hinterland” and supported “a long-term sustainable conservation and recreational management plan” for the region.
Despite the Labor ranks' opposition, it appears likely that the marina will go ahead. The Australian on June 24 reported that the WA Labor government's environment minister Judy Edwards had described the conference motion as just “another view on the table”.
The ALP government is arguing that it cannot stop the development because the contract signed by the previous Liberal government in 1995 is still binding. Only a rejection of the marina by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), based on an environmental impact study, can halt it.
Both Edwards, in the June 24 Australian, and the marina's developer, in the June 30 Sunday Times, have stated that they thought it likely that the EPA would approve the marina.
The ALP government's continued consideration of the development reflects that capitalist party's practice of placing big business profits ahead of the interests and wishes of the people and the environment — and even the views of its own members.
From Green Left Weekly, July 10, 2002.
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