Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

A salty problem that won't go away

By Corey Watts - posted Thursday, 31 May 2001


It is unclear whether the kind of political will needed to make the Plan work can be sustained to its conclusion and, critically, beyond.

In this our Centenary of Federation, it is timely to reflect on how well our system has served this ancient and fragile continent and its people. More importantly, how can federalism work better to ensure a clean and healthy country, the kind that we will want to hand on to our children?

A pivotal report – Co-ordinating Catchment Management – was recently released by the House of Representatives environment committee. Among many excellent recommendations was a call for a national environment levy and a thorough examination of public subsidies of environmentally damaging practices.

Advertisement

Last year, the NFF and ACF joined forces to launch the Repairing the Country document which, for the first time, costed the measures needed to begin to reverse Australia’s deteriorating natural capital base. The paper determined that an investment of public funds of around $3.7 billion a year for a decade is required, together with a giant stride forward – across State boundaries – in how we as a nation use and relate to the land.

An environment levy, similar in principle to the Medicare Levy, would go a long way to raising badly needed funds and focusing public attention on the plight of our lands and waters.

The Council of Australian Governments is the appropriate body to lead the collective response to this national crisis. As recommended in the parliamentary report, COAG needs to establish a properly funded and independent and expertise-based National Catchment Management Authority to advise on national targets, performance and payments for improving water quality, reducing salinity and conserving biodiversity.

Although the parliamentary report was prepared in a bipartisan spirit, it remains to be seen whether our political leaders will take to heart that spirit and the need for a fresh approach.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. Page 4
  6. All

This text is adapted from ‘Australia … A Salt of the Earth’, ACF Habitat Supplement, June 2001.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Corey Watts is Coordinator of the Salinity and Sustainable Agriculture Program at the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Related Links
Coordinating Catchment Management
Land and Water Repair (Repairing the Country)
Licking the Salt
National Dryland Salinity Assessment 2000
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy