3.2.4- An overview of environmental politics in Australia
What started with the political movements that arose out of environmental awareness that we have already looked at (3.1.5), has been an increased public awareness of the urgency of a range of environmental problems and issues in Australia and around the world.
Public awareness demands a political response. All of Australia's major political parties have adopted their own policies that outline their position on major environmental issues. These include tackling climate change, protecting our unique biodiversity, conservation and rehabilitation of land and water resources, and reductions in levels of air and water pollution. This often sees the environment used as political football, with issues passed from party to party while they outline how they believe it should be responded to or acted upon. The environment does often see a benefit from this as it often shines a spotlight on unknown issues, raising their public profile while they are investigated, debated and, hopefully, acted upon. |
JOKE AD: The above video was released by 'The Juice Media', who regularly release what they call honest government ads. This one looks at the Federal Coalitions National Energy Guarantee (NEG) and its commitment towards renewable energy.
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3.2.4- Enviro Politics - Student Version by Matthew Pringle on Scribd |
3.2.4- VEAC by Matthew Pringle on Scribd |
Click on each of the links below to see our major political parties current environmental policies. Use this to complete the learning activity in your 3.2.4- digital work book.
The Australian Conservation Foundation has created an election scorecard that looks at the major parties and how they perform in relation to three key environmental policy areas, including: Clean/renewable energy, Pollution reduction and Environmental Protection.
Click on the ACF logo and see how each of the major parties rates in regards to these. |
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
The Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC) plays an important role in investigating the potential impacts of decisions made by governments regarding the use of public land.
It is comprised of a council of five members that have a range of experience and skills relating to the management of public land and natural resources. All investigations they undertake must consider social impacts, resource use and the needs of the environment. The diagram opposite outlines the role and processes of the VEAC when undertaking an investigation. |
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VEAC Investigation of Yellingbo Conservation Area:
The State Government requested the VEAC to undertake an investigation in The Yellingbo Conservation Area in 2011. This was to investigate the biodiversity and ecological values of public land within the area, identify threats to these values and to make recommendations relating to management to conserve and enhance these values. Their findings and recommendations are outlined in this video. |