SALLY SARA:
As the federal government prepares to announce its 2035 emissions target, the Business Council of Australia has released its own economic modelling on the cost of cutting emissions.
I rise on the matter of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Board of Management Functions) Bill 2025. The bill adjusts the EPBC Act, specifically in relation to our Commonwealth national parks, including the iconic and deeply loved Kakadu National Park, the alluring Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the beautiful Booderee National Park.
Walking on Australian beaches year-round is a luxury we enjoy in our great country. But for South Australians, this luxury has not existed for months. Beaches are closed, and they’ve been told to stay more than 300 metres away due to the harmful algal bloom that’s ravaging the coastline.
I am an Australian and I’m proud to be an Australian and I’m proud of our Australian flag. Do those opposite feel as proud of our nation as we do on this side of the House; are they as proud of our national flag as we are?
I recently had the great privilege of joining my community for the annual Kokoda Day and Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorations. This year marked the 83rd Kokoda Day commemoration and, as I do each year, I joined the Rotary Club of Broadwater Southport and the Surfers Paradise RSL Sub-Branch for their service.
ANGIE BELL:
What we have seen to date is three years of failure to reform the EPBC Act under a Labor Albanese government. We have seen three years of failure and delay with a foot on the brake when it comes to reforming the EPBC Act. And now, what we’re hearing is that the government is on a fast train to reforming the EPBC Act. What I will say about that is that this government has had plenty of time to decide on an update to the EPBC Act and reform it, and it has failed categorically.
WILL GOODINGS:
We’ll revisit that shortly. But before we do, at four to seven, let’s talk Algal Bloom. Angie Bell’s the Federal Shadow Environment Minister and joins us on FIVEAA Breakfast. Angie Bell, good morning to you.
Last Friday, we heard an extraordinary admission from those opposite in relation to South Australia’s algal bloom crisis. The member for Adelaide and its beaches said that he accepted criticism that this has been a bit slow, and that the best time to have done this would have been some weeks ago, maybe even a few months ago. So why didn’t they act sooner?
JAYNIE SEAL:
In a bid to revive South Australia’s algae-hit coastal towns, the state government is rolling out 20,000 Coast is Calling travel vouchers. They are worth up to $500 each and are aimed at luring visitors back to holiday hotspots along the coast. The voucher can be used for discounts on accommodation, tours and experiences.
PAUL MURRAY:
Thank you so much for watching. A conversation took place this evening between Sharri Markson and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The whole conversation is up at skynews.com.au. He engaged with the criticism that he has previously levelled at the Australian Prime Minister and Australia’s decision to begin the process of recognising Palestine as its own country when the UN votes in a couple of weeks’ time.