Parliamentary Committees

Environment, Resources and Development Committee: Biodiversity

The Hon. T.T. NGO (16:00): I move:

That the report of the committee on biodiversity be noted.

I would like to make some brief comments on the report. Before doing so, I would like to thank other members of the committee: committee secretary, Phil Frensham, as well as the consortium led by Dr Mark Siebentritt, who provided expert advice to us throughout the report's development. The committee found that biodiversity in South Australia is in decline. This is despite valiant efforts from all tiers of government, industry and, increasingly, private landholders and citizens of the state. There are three key messages contained in the report:

1. the current legislative framework is flawed;

2. habitat loss and fragmentation must be addressed; and

3. the community is key to the new strategy and approach.

Obviously, with climate change becoming more and more of a problem, the issue of protecting our natural habitats will become an issue that needs to be addressed in a timely and coordinated way. I hope that the work contained in this report will provide an avenue for parliament and government departments, as well as the community more broadly, to act on these issues of significant environmental importance.

I would like to thank all committee members, including the presiding member, Mr Tom Kenyon, the member for Newland; Mr Steven Griffiths, the member for Goyder; Mr Eddie Hughes, the member for Giles; the Hon. Michelle Lensink; and the Hon. Mark Parnell for their contribution and knowledge on this very important matter. I commend this report to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. J.M.A. Lensink.