- Jul 2, 2018
- 2,882
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Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2004 An Act to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 [Royal Assent 10 August 2004] Be it enacted by Her Excellency the Governor-Governor of Australia, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Representatives, in Parliament assembled, as follows: [Second reading presentation speech made in: House of Representatives on 24 JULY 2004 Senate on 8 AUGUST 2004] |
| The following section shall be repealed from the act: "140A. No approval for certain nuclear installations: The Minister must not approve an action consisting of or involving the construction or operation of any of the following nuclear installations: (a) a nuclear fuel fabrication plant; (b) a nuclear power plant; (c) an enrichment plant; (d) a reprocessing facility." |
The bill, having been proposed by the Labor Government would enjoy wide-ranging bipartisan support from the Liberals and Nationals who have traditionally been strong advocates for nuclear energy. All 66 members of the Liberal/National Coalition in the House of Representatives would vote for along with the 6 members of the Crossbench, 3 from the One Nation Party and 3 Independents who are all former Nationals members. The 78 members of the Labor Party would be more split on the vote though with 54 voting for and 24 voting against, with the against almost all coming from the Socialist Left faction within the Labor Party. In total it would be voted for 126 to 24 in the House. In the Senate the bill would pass but would receive fierce debate from the Australian Greens and the Australian Democrats, with this section of the act having been implemented as a result of pressure from the Democrats when they held the balance of power in the Senate. The 29 members from the Liberal Party, National Party and Country Liberal Party would vote for. The one independent, Brian Harradine of Tasmania, would vote for. The 9 members from the One Nation Party would also vote for. The 4 members from the Australian Democrats and 2 members from the Australian Greens would vote against. The 31 members of the Labor Party would vote 26 for and 5 against with the 5 against coming entirely from the Socialist Left factions in Victoria and New South Wales. In total it would pass the Senate 65 votes for and 11 against.
