Motions

Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (11:05): I move:

That this house requests Her Excellency the Governor to make a proclamation under section 29(3) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to abolish Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park and to make a proclamation under section 34A(2) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to abolish Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Regional Reserve.

The purpose of abolishing the Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Conservation Park and the Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert Regional Reserve is to allow for the land to be proclaimed as the new Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert National Park.

The Simpson Desert is one of Australia's most iconic landscapes, where the world's largest system of parallel dunes is found. It is a place of profound cultural significance for the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi traditional owners and a unique tourism destination, which draws visitors from all over the world.

The parks support a diverse range of plants and animals, which are adapted to living in the harsh desert environment. Proclamation of the two parks as one will create Australia's largest national park of 3.6 million hectares, reflecting the national significance of Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert. It is most appropriate that these two parks are managed under a single land tenure.

In creating the new national park, a special management zone around the Kalakoopah Creek will be put in place through a change to the park management plan. This management zone recognises the environmentally significant ephemeral creek system, an anabranch of the Warburton River, which will be managed as a wilderness zone. The zone will require the land to be managed to protect the area's wild character, preserving the wildlife and ecosystems and minimising access.

The proposed change will increase the role of the Minister for Environment and Water in managing exploration and mining rights. Currently, the minister only has a consultative role on any proposed exploration tenements on the regional reserve, but as a national park the minister will have an approval role.

Subject to the resolution of this house, Her Excellency the Governor will be requested to abolish the proclamations and concurrently constitute the land as the new Munga-Thirri—Simpson Desert National Park pursuant to section 28(1) of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. I commend this motion to the house.

Mr BOYER (Wright) (11:07): I rise to indicate that I will be the lead speaker and only speaker for the opposition on this and the following motions relating to protected areas across the state. I indicate from the outset that the opposition will support the motions, but we do so with an air of scepticism.

Much of the change on the table here today appears to be merely a name change for all intents and purposes, which amounts to nothing more than a nice shiny newspaper article for the minister. We will look very closely at the proclamations that are made following the passage of these abolitions to ensure the protections are maintained in the areas that are committed to by the minister.

Motion carried.