North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability (Renewal of Mining Leases) Amendment Bill 2015
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill would have ended sand mining on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) by the end of 2024, with land rehabilitation allowed to continue until the end of 2029. It amended the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability Act 2011 to shrink where mining could occur and to block any lease renewals beyond 2029. The bill was discharged and did not become law.
Who it affects
Island residents, Quandamooka traditional owners and environmental groups would see mining end earlier, while Sibelco and its workers would face a shorter mining timeframe with rehabilitation work continuing to 2029.
Key changes
- Brought the end date for sand mining on North Stradbroke Island forward from 2035 to 31 December 2024
- Allowed rehabilitation of mined land in the region to continue until 31 December 2029
- Confined mining on leases 1105, 1117 and 1120 to a defined 'restricted mine path' shown on a new map (Schedule 2B)
- Prevented the three mining leases from being renewed beyond the end of 2029
- Was introduced as a private member's bill by Mr Knuth MP and later discharged, so none of the changes took effect
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee27 Oct 2015View Hansard
Referred to Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee
The Finance and Administration Committee examined this Private Member's Bill alongside the Government's North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2015. The committee unanimously recommended that this Private Member's Bill not be passed, though government and non-government members disagreed on the reasons. The committee was also unable to agree on whether the companion Government Bill should be passed. The inquiry received extensive submissions and held public hearings on the economic, environmental, and Indigenous land rights impacts of phasing out sand mining on North Stradbroke Island.
Key findings (5)
- The committee unanimously agreed the Private Member's Bill should not be passed, though for differing reasons between government and non-government members
- The committee could not reach agreement on whether the companion Government Bill should be passed
- A Deloitte Access Economics report estimated direct economic losses of between $563 million and $880 million over 16 years from early mine closure
- The Quandamooka peoples' native title rights and Indigenous Land Use Agreements were central considerations in the inquiry
- Non-government members raised concerns about the lack of a Regulatory Impact Statement and the adequacy of the economic transition strategy
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability (Renewal of Mining Leases) Amendment Bill 2015 (the Private Member's Bill) not be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading25 May 2016View Hansard
That the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability and Other
Vote on the second reading of the government's bill to substantially end sandmining on North Stradbroke Island by 2019, which was carried 42-41 with ALP and Independents supporting and LNP and KAP opposing.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (42)
Noes (41)
▸13 members spoke2 support11 oppose
Opposed the private member's bill because it differs substantially from government policy, allowing mining to 2024 and rehabilitation to 2029, and limits rehabilitation access to only five years which is insufficient.
“The government will not be supporting the private member's bill as it differs substantially from government policy.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Introduced and moved the second reading of his bill as a sensible compromise between the LNP's 2035 date and Labor's 2019 date, proposing 2024 for mining and 2029 for rehabilitation to protect the 100 plus jobs on the island.
“I believe that the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability (Renewal of Mining Leases) Amendment Bill 2015 is sensible. It is sound. It is good policy and it gives an outcome for everyone. I ask members to support this bill.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill, noting the member for Dalrymple admitted there was no real rationale or consultation behind the 2024 end date and that it offered no satisfactory period to transition the local economy.
“I oppose the government's bill and the private member's bill from the Katter party.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill as lacking in detail, without any transition plan or economic strategy, describing it as a cheap grab for a headline.
“This bill is so lacking in detail as to be unworkable and can only be seen as a cheap grab for a headline.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill while respecting the good intentions of the member for Dalrymple.
“I rise to speak in support of the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2015 and to oppose the private member's bill introduced by the member for Dalrymple, though I do so with the greatest respect for the good intentions that he has shown.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill alongside the government bill as premature endings to sandmining.
“I do not support the premature end to sandmining on North Stradbroke Island and, therefore, I do not support these bills.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill alongside support for the government bill.
“I do not support the bill introduced by the crossbench.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill as still an inadequate time frame, preferring the LNP's 2035 closure date.
“Whilst the Katter bill is an extension from 2019 to 2024, it is still very far from an adequate time frame.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill, noting 2024 was an improvement over 2019 but the 2035 closure date remained the most sensible time frame.
“A date of 2024 is an improvement, but I am satisfied that the 2035 closure date remains the most sensible time frame.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill alongside opposition to the government bill.
“I oppose these bills.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill, supporting the committee's recommendation that the bill not be passed.
“I rise tonight to speak in support of the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability and Other Acts Amendment Bill and to oppose the passage of the North Stradbroke Island Protection and Sustainability (Renewable of Mining Leases) Amendment Bill 2015.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Supported the KAP private member's bill as a sensible compromise that provides an acceptable transition period protecting the 100 precious mining jobs critical to the island economy.
“The proposal in the private member's bill to move the sandmining closure date to 2024 offers a sensible compromise between the positions of both major parties.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
Opposed the private member's bill as any further delay would be unacceptable given the unfortunate history under the Newman and Nicholls government.
“I cannot support the private member's bill as any further delay in my view is unacceptable given the unfortunate and regrettable history under the Newman and Nicholls government.”— 2016-05-25View Hansard
▸In Detail25 May 2016View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on the member for Dalrymple's amendments to change end dates from 2019 to 2024, reflecting the KAP private member's bill's compromise position, defeated 41-42 with LNP and KAP supporting against ALP and Independents.
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (41)
Noes (42)
▸Third Reading25 May 2016View Hansard
That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time
Final passage vote on the government's bill to end sandmining on North Stradbroke Island by 2019, carried 42-41 with ALP and Independents supporting against LNP and KAP opposition.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (42)
Noes (41)
Referenced Entities
Sectors Affected
Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards