Environment Act 2000
Copy of Parliament Hansard
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'People left powerless' by new resources laws
LIAM FOX - ABC The Papua New Guinean government has passed controversial legislation to protect resource projects from delays caused by environmental challenges. Amendments to PNG's environment act were recently rammed through parliament, with the government using its numbers to suppress debate. They give the environment department more power when it comes to granting environmental permits for resource projects like mining or logging. In many cases, decisions by the department's director are now "final and may not be challenged or reviewed in any court or tribunal". But while mining companies may be applauding, others, including lawyer Tiffany Nonggorr, are accusing the government of betrayal. "It is the most draconian piece of legislation with regards to human rights, particularly indigenous human rights that I have ever seen. It is disgusting," she said. Ms Nonggorr says traditional landowners, who control most of the land in PNG, have been robbed of their