Borbidge forced to back down on pollution law

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE — Following an outcry from environmentalists in late February, the state Liberal government was forced, on March 7, to reinstate parts of the pollution licensing system. Premier Rob Borbidge had intended to suspend the system for four months.

Queensland Conservation Council spokesperson Imogen Zethoven condemned the state government's move, saying that industry was a "pollution paradise" and could do as it wished with none of the liability associated with licences. Without its regulations, the act required simply that "no one cause serious environmental harm".

Earlier, Zethoven said she feared the extended period would give the government four months to dismantle the act. There has been no consultation with any sector except industry, she said.

Greens spokesperson Drew Hutton said on February 28 that any moves on the Environmental Protection Act would be rigorously scrutinised. Hutton, who was key in setting up the original toxic waste inquiry which led to the act, said that Borbidge "assured us the review would look only at licence fees. If there is going to be any widening of the review, it has to be done with widespread consultation."

Coral Wynter, Democratic Socialist spokesperson on the environment, "The new Coalition has immediately moved to guarantee business the right to pollute. This must remove any remaining illusions within the environment movement, in particular the Greens, that the Coalition has miraculously 'greened' itself."

From GLW issue 224