submissions

This is urgent. A rushed Senate inquiry will ignore the recommendations of an independent review and devolve our national nature laws to the states instead. We need you to speak up.

Our nature laws should work to protect nature, not facilitate its destruction. Professor Samuels’ interim report agreed. He recommended a package of reform including strong, binding national standards and an independent ‘cop on the beat’.

But instead of waiting for the final report and developing a new reform package to save our species, the Morrison government re-heated an old Bill from 2014 that will make the extinction crisis worse. This tick-a-box Senate inquiry will hand off federal powers to state governments, with even lower standards.

People concerned about Harkaway, in the Green Wedge, near Berwick are asking for your help to stop development ruining this lovely area. Why don’t you write to the Minister too and plead with him to say "NO." Submissions urgently needed before 5pm on 6 November. Subject: Proposed Rosemaur development for King Road Harkaway, Email to: stateplanning.services@delwp.vic.gov.au Details inside article.

To all who care about preserving special places like Harkaway and their green wedge surrounds:

Harkaway is a hidden gem tucked away in the rolling foothills to the Dandenong Ranges just north of Berwick in the City of Casey. Until now, State Governments of both “colours” have agreed it should be sacrosanct - a “no go” zone for urban use development.

More than 116,000 people were estimated to be homeless in Australia on Census night in 2016. Among them were people living in severely crowded dwellings, people living in temporary accommodation, and rough sleepers. To examine this issue, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has launched an inquiry into homelessness in Australia. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said the inquiry would seek to understand the factors that contribute to people becoming homeless, identify opportunities to prevent homelessness, and examine ways to better support the homeless and those at risk. ‘Sadly, each night in Australia there are tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness. We know that there are many pathways that can lead to homelessness, and through this inquiry we are hoping to understand how we can better support those who face it, and help some of the most vulnerable in our community’, Mr Wallace said. ‘There is a range of services available to support people who are homeless or at risk, and the Committee is particularly interested in hearing from communities around Australia about approaches that are working well, and ideas for improvement.’

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment has commenced an inquiry into the efficacy of past and current vegetation and land management policy, practice and legislation and their effect on the intensity and frequency of bushfires and subsequent risk to property, life and the environment. Submission deadline 28 February 2020

On launching the inquiry, Chair of the Committee, Mr Ted O’Brien MP, said that ‘many communities across Australia had experienced or were still in the grip of a bushfire crisis’.

‘We are currently experiencing a difficult, dangerous and potentially prolonged bushfire season’, he said.

‘We feel for our fellow Australians both impacted by, and trying to control, these devastating fires.

‘The new inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the practices relating to vegetation and land management, legislative frameworks, economic impact, mitigation strategies and the engagement of emergency services.

Send your submisision to landusevic@parliament.vic.gov.au
Environment and Planning Committee’s Inquiry into the proposed long term lease of the land titles and registry functions of Land Use Victoria.
The Committee has resolved to extend the closing date for submission to Friday 6 July 2018.

This is a notice about a very important attempt to privatise a fundamental public institution and resource. Inside we have published a press release from the Environment and Planning Committee about the parameters of the inquiry, plus the extension of submissions dates.

PARLIAMENT OF VICTORIA

Environment and Planning Committee

MEDIA RELEASE
Extension of time for submissions to land titles inquiry
The Environment and Planning Committee is conducting an inquiry into the proposed long term lease of the land titles and registry functions of Land Use Victoria.

The Committee has agreed to a two week extension of time for public submissions to the inquiry. Submissions can be made until Friday 6 July.

Terms of Reference

Under the inquiry's terms of reference, the Committee is considering:

- implications for the ongoing integrity of the land use system in Victoria

- risks to privacy and security of sensitive data held by Land Use Victoria

- likely consequences for the cost and service levels of the titles and registry functions being commercialised