2011-2012-2013

 

 

 

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

 

 

 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

 

COMPLETION OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK (KOONGARRA PROJECT AREA REPEAL) BILL 2013

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

 

 

 

 

(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities , the Hon Tony Burke MP)

 

 

COMPLETION OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK (KOONGARRA PROJECT AREA REPEAL) BILL 2013

OUTLINE

The Koongarra area is surrounded by the Kakadu National Park and was excluded from the boundaries of the Kakadu National Park when it was proclaimed in 1979. This exclusion was made to accommodate the prospect of future mining activity. Since that time, a number of parties have pursued the development of mining at Koongarra but no mining tenements have been granted.

The Australian Government committed at the 2010 federal election to protect Koongarra as part of Kakadu in line with the express views of the traditional owner. The Completion of Kakadu National Park (Koongarra Project Area Repeal) Bill 2013 is part of a process which will see Koongarra incorporated into Kakadu National Park.

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Not applicable.

 

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

Not applicable.

 

 

STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS - PART 3 HUMAN RIGHTS (PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY) ACT 2011

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Completion of Kakadu National Park (Koongarra Project Area Repeal) Bill 2013

This Bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 .

Overview of the Bill

The Koongarra area is surrounded by the Kakadu National Park and was excluded from the boundaries of the Kakadu National Park when it was proclaimed in 1979. This exclusion was made to accommodate the prospect of future mining activity. Since that time, a number of parties have pursued the development of mining at Koongarra but no mining tenements have been granted.

The Australian Government committed at the 2010 federal election to protect Koongarra as part of Kakadu in line with the express views of the traditional owner. The Completion of Kakadu National Park (Koongarra Project Area Repeal) Bill 2013 is part of a process which will see Koongarra incorporated into Kakadu National Park.

Human rights implications

This Bill does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

The Bill is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon Tony Burke MP

SCHEDULE 1 - REPEAL OF THE KOONGARRA PROJECT AREA ACT

Koongarra Project Area Act 1981

Item 1 - The whole of the Act

1.1          This item repeals the Koongarra Project Area Act 1981 (Cth).