Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has refused to commit to opposing construction of a town in internationally-protected waters in Moreton Bay, Queensland.
This is despite the recent 2021 ALP National Platform conference specifically advocating a policy of protecting Ramsar-listed wetlands and noting that Toondah Harbour, the site of the proposed town, is In such a wetland.
Local state ALP MP Don Brown still supports building a town in the bay, saying votes for him in three elections have been a vote for the project.
When asked by Independent Australia to nominate any surveys showing support for the town, Mr Brown replied: "Since I have declared my support for the Toondah project, my margin has increased at each of the subsequent elections in 2015, 2017 and 2020".
The following questions were put to Mr Albanese:
“Bearing in mind: "Labor is committed to making sure that Australia meets its responsibilities under international environmental treaties including the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
"And that the recent ALP Platform Conference resolved:
"That this conference: Restates Labor's support for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, to which Australia is a Signatory, and notes that Toondah Harbour is in the Moreton Bay Ramsar-listed wetland;
“Do you as Opposition Leader oppose construction of a town of 3,600 homes at Toondah Harbour, Queensland, which is situated both on Ramsar-listed Wetlands and in a marine national park - both protections having been created by a Labor government?
“And will you as Opposition Leader commit a future Labor Government to opposing such a development?”
Four days after receiving the questions Mr Albanese’s office flicked the questions to Shadow Environment Minister Terri Butler.
Ms Butler responded: "As Labor’s national platform conference reinforced, Labor’s commitment to Ramsar is clear…Australia’s unique and internationally renowned natural environment must be protected."
And a spokesperson for Ms Butler said: "As a potential future decision maker in relation to projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the Shadow Minister doesn’t comment on the merits of individual protects"
Mr Brown said: "Since my election in 2015 I have been a supporter of the Toondah Harbour project on the provision that it passes the Environmental Impact Study.
"Being a former scientist myself, I believe it is important to allow for these studies to occur. To say no without them would be purely done on ideological basis."
But thousands of people are appalled by the idea. More than 22,000 people have signed a Change petition, Birdlife Australia has an online petition signed by more than 8,000 people, an e-petition to Parliament was signed by more than 6,000 people, a Redland City Bulletin poll was "heavily against" the project, there are several other petitions, including one of 1,136 people and in face to face questioning of people by Redlands2030, 1,166 of 1,336 responses opposed the plan, with only 52 approving.
Only eight of 1,419 submissions to the Federal Government did not oppose the project.
And community organisation Redlands2030, which campaigns against the project, has more than 7,500 followers.
However, the Federal Government wants the project to go ahead. The Labor State Government supports the scheme. Mark Robinson MP says the scheme has the backing of the LNP. and Redland City Council asked for the project to be made a Priority Development Area.
It seems Queensland Greens’ Michael Berkman MP is the only parliamentarian opposing the development.
The next stage in the planning process is an environmental impact study which is said to be imminent.
This is despite the recent 2021 ALP National Platform conference specifically advocating a policy of protecting Ramsar-listed wetlands and noting that Toondah Harbour, the site of the proposed town, is In such a wetland.
Local state ALP MP Don Brown still supports building a town in the bay, saying votes for him in three elections have been a vote for the project.
When asked by Independent Australia to nominate any surveys showing support for the town, Mr Brown replied: "Since I have declared my support for the Toondah project, my margin has increased at each of the subsequent elections in 2015, 2017 and 2020".
The following questions were put to Mr Albanese:
“Bearing in mind: "Labor is committed to making sure that Australia meets its responsibilities under international environmental treaties including the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
"And that the recent ALP Platform Conference resolved:
"That this conference: Restates Labor's support for the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, to which Australia is a Signatory, and notes that Toondah Harbour is in the Moreton Bay Ramsar-listed wetland;
“Do you as Opposition Leader oppose construction of a town of 3,600 homes at Toondah Harbour, Queensland, which is situated both on Ramsar-listed Wetlands and in a marine national park - both protections having been created by a Labor government?
“And will you as Opposition Leader commit a future Labor Government to opposing such a development?”
Four days after receiving the questions Mr Albanese’s office flicked the questions to Shadow Environment Minister Terri Butler.
Ms Butler responded: "As Labor’s national platform conference reinforced, Labor’s commitment to Ramsar is clear…Australia’s unique and internationally renowned natural environment must be protected."
And a spokesperson for Ms Butler said: "As a potential future decision maker in relation to projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the Shadow Minister doesn’t comment on the merits of individual protects"
Mr Brown said: "Since my election in 2015 I have been a supporter of the Toondah Harbour project on the provision that it passes the Environmental Impact Study.
"Being a former scientist myself, I believe it is important to allow for these studies to occur. To say no without them would be purely done on ideological basis."
But thousands of people are appalled by the idea. More than 22,000 people have signed a Change petition, Birdlife Australia has an online petition signed by more than 8,000 people, an e-petition to Parliament was signed by more than 6,000 people, a Redland City Bulletin poll was "heavily against" the project, there are several other petitions, including one of 1,136 people and in face to face questioning of people by Redlands2030, 1,166 of 1,336 responses opposed the plan, with only 52 approving.
Only eight of 1,419 submissions to the Federal Government did not oppose the project.
And community organisation Redlands2030, which campaigns against the project, has more than 7,500 followers.
However, the Federal Government wants the project to go ahead. The Labor State Government supports the scheme. Mark Robinson MP says the scheme has the backing of the LNP. and Redland City Council asked for the project to be made a Priority Development Area.
It seems Queensland Greens’ Michael Berkman MP is the only parliamentarian opposing the development.
The next stage in the planning process is an environmental impact study which is said to be imminent.
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