Tonight I will speak on two projects. They are separated by thousands of kilometres, but both highlight the problems of a one-sided view of the economy-that is, that mining and power production take precedence over all else. Time and again, we see large companies that propose dangerous projects claim they will benefit the local community, but, meanwhile, they walk all over those communities. These companies often ignore local industries as their activities damage the diversity of local economies and the local environment.

Tonight I will speak on two projects. They are separated by thousands of kilometres, but both highlight the problems of a one-sided view of the economy-that is, that mining and power production take precedence over all else. Time and again, we see large companies that propose dangerous projects claim they will benefit the local community, but, meanwhile, they walk all over those communities. These companies often ignore local industries as their activities damage the diversity of local economies and the local environment.

Lee expresses concern at the development application on Commonwealth heritage land at Sydney Harbour's Middle Head and calls on the Minister for the Environment not to approve it. Her motion was defeated on the combined vote of Labor and the Coalition.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (16:14): I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

Senate Estimates: Environment and Communications Legislation Committee (Murray-Darling Basin Authority)

Monday, February 24, 2014

Senator RHIANNON: Also with respect to the sale of the environmental water in the Gwydir Valley, did you identify additional environmental benefits that could have been gained by using the water in the area?

Senate Estimates: Environment and Communications Legislation Committee (Murray-Darling Basin Authority)

Monday, February 24, 2014

Senator RHIANNON: Thank you, Chair. Dr Dickson, I would like to move on to some of the international work of the authority. I understand there are memorandums of understanding with Mekong River Commission and the Yellow River Conservancy Commission in China. When do those MOUs expire? What is the annual budget allocated to them?

This article was published in The Guardian on 20 January 2014.

NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon has congratulated protesters at Maules Creek coal mine for commencing action today to prevent critically endangered woodland and endangered wildlife from being bulldozed.

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (12:39): I, and also on behalf of Senator Waters, move:

That the Senate-

(a) recognises that:

(i) the Royal National Park in New South Wales is Australia's first national park, one of the world's oldest public parks, and the first to be proclaimed as a 'national park', and

(ii) the Royal National Park is home to outstanding universal environmental, cultural and social values;

MEDIA ALERT 
3 December 2013

Greens welcome Woop Woop horse riders campaigning for clean water and no CSG mining

WHAT:  Donna and Mick Franklin are riding to Canberra to raise awareness about the dangers of Coal Seam Gas mining and the importance of water as part of ‘The Woop, Woop Ride’ campaign. Donna and Mick have been riding for three months with a team of nine horses.

Starting at Grafton in September and following the National Trail stock routes, they have braced bushfires, thunderstorms and flooded river crossings.