THE inquiry into the destruction of Indigenous heritage sites at Juukan Gorge will be looking at Indigenous heritage protection in the Northern Territory, with a public hearing by videoconference today.

Northern Australia Committee chair Warren Entsch noted that heritage protections in the Northern Territory were some of the strongest in Australia, though this did not always lead to successful outcomes.

"The committee is aware of concerns raised by Traditional Owners about the expansion of the McArthur River mine and the threat this poses to sacred waterholes," Mr Entsch said.

"It is important that the protections offered under heritage legislation can’t simply be circumvented by recourse to other laws."

In its submission, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority observed, "The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT), which stems from the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) (Land Rights Act), presents a model that should be adopted nationally and in all States and Territories. Importantly the Northern Territory framework encompasses the principles of free prior and informed consent."

The Central Land Council also highlighted the success of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, but argued, "There is need for other legislation to give Traditional Owners protection on land where free, prior and informed consent to development is not afforded, including on land subject to native title."

The Central Land Council recommended improvements to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, "so that it can be an effective measure of last resort for Indigenous people throughout Australia, and can set minimum standards for State and Territory legislation".

Other witnesses include archaeologist Karen Martin-Stone, GetUp, the National Environmental Law Association and Australia ICOMOS.

A program for the public hearing is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 2 March 2021
Time: 9am to 4pm AEDT
Location: by video/teleconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Further details of the inquiry, including terms of reference, can be found on the Committee’s website.

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HOME LENDING in Australia smashed more records in January thanks to the continued roll out of the HomeBuilder scheme.

“The first month of 2021 saw almost 10,000 loans being made to owner occupiers for the construction of a new home. This represents a gain of some 20.3 percent on December 2020, a month whose reign as strongest on record hasn’t lasted too long,” Master Builders Australia’s chief economist Shane Garrett said.

“The strength of the market can also be seen in other lending streams. The number of loans for newly-erected homes reached an all-time high during January, having increased by 28.6 per cent over the previous 12 months.

“The value of home renovations lending in January 2021 was also 47.4 percent up on the same month last year,” Mr Garrett said.

“The HomeBuilder scheme remains open until the end of March and this means that 2021 will be a busy year for residential building."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s weekend announcement that they will ban single-use plastics by 2023.

The Andrews Labor Government has stated the ban will include single-use plastic straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, polystyrene food and drink containers, and plastic cotton bud sticks.

Victoria becomes the fifth Australian state or territory to commit to ban single-use plastics, with a ban on single-use plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers commencing today in South Australia, and the ACT, Queensland and Western Australian governments committing to introduce bans in the near future.

Shane Cucow, plastics spokesperson for the AMCS, welcomed the Andrews Government’s action as good news for Australia’s vulnerable ocean wildlife.

“We are pleased to see the Victorian Government responding to the concerns of ocean lovers who have been crying out for action to save our whales and wildlife," Mr Cucow said.

“By joining states like South Australia and banning lethal plastics like straws, cutlery and polystyrene food and beverage containers, Victoria will become a leader in the fight against plastic.

“For years we have seen shocking incidents of wildlife hurt by plastics, such as whales washing up on our beaches with stomachs full of plastic, or mother birds feeding plastics to their chicks.

“With safe, earth friendly alternatives now available, it’s time to ditch these killer plastics and stop the flow of plastic into our oceans once and for all."

Mr Cucow urged the Victorian Government to move quickly, and accelerate their timeline for implementation.

“For years we have known about this crisis. Every day we wait, more animals are killed by the plastic entering our oceans," he said.

“Two more years is a long time to wait for action to stop these preventable deaths. With South Australia’s ban commencing today, and Queensland and the ACT expected to act this year, the time to act is now.

www.amcs.og.au

Background

South Australia’s ban on single-use plastics commences today, officially becoming the first Australian state or territory to outlaw plastic straws, drink stirrers and cutlery. On March 1, 2022 polystyrene food and beverage containers and oxo-degradable plastics will also be banned. See government release here.

Queensland’s Parliament is currently considering a bill to ban single-use plastic straws, cutlery, drink-stirrers and disposable plastic plates/bowls. Details here.

The ACT Parliament is currently considering a bill to ban single-use plastic cutlery, drink stirrers and polystyrene food and beverage containers, with the government indicating it would commence on July 1, 2021. See government release here.

The WA Government has committed to phase out single-use plastic plates, straws, cutlery, drink stirrers, heavyweight plastic bags, polystyrene food containers and helium balloon releases by 2023. Details here.

The New South Wales Government recently completed public consultations that canvassed the idea of a ban on single-use plastics. They are yet to announce their plans.

Tasmania and the Northern Territory have made no commitments to ban single-use plastics.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will hold three days of public hearings between March 1 and 3.

Committee Chair Julian Leeser MP said, "At these hearings, the committee will hear from a range of important stakeholders in order to gain a rounded understanding of how Australia’s skilled migration program can better support the post-pandemic recovery.

"The committee will receive evidence from peak bodies, government departments, unions, professional associations, venture capital firms and small businesses," Mr Leeser said.

‘The committee is seeking to table an interim report on immediate adjustments to the skilled migration program to support pandemic recovery, and Australia’s attractiveness to entrepreneurs and talented individuals later in March. These hearings will be vital to informing the committee’s conclusions."

The committee is still accepting submissions for this inquiry. Submissions addressing the terms of reference will be accepted until March 31, 2021.

More details on the inquiry are available on the committee website.

Public hearing details
Date: Monday 1 March 2021
Time: 9am to 4.30pm
Location: by teleconference

Date: Tuesday 2 March 2021
Time: 9am to 12.30pm
Location: by teleconference

Date: Wednesday 3 March 2021
Time: 9am to 4.30pm
Location: by teleconference

Each hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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