Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
4:00 pm
I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the Sydney Opera House was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2007 in recognition of it being a masterpiece of 20th century architecture,
(ii) the Minister for the Environment has a responsibility to protect the Opera House under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and
(iii) the NSW Liberal Government allowed a promotion for a horse racing event to be displayed on the sails of the Opera House in contravention of state heritage laws, the Opera House Plan of Management and the overwhelming views of the community;
(b) condemns the NSW Government for treating the Opera House as a billboard; and
(c) calls on the Minister for the Environment to take action to protect our cultural icons.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
The light projection approved by the New South Wales government was a short-term event that did not impact on the World Heritage values of the Sydney Opera House.
Anthony Chisholm Queensland, Australian Labor Party
I seek leave to make a short statement.
The PRESI DENT: Leave is granted for one minute.
Labor supports this motion. Last week Labor called on the Minister for the Environment, as the minister responsible for Australia's World Heritage sites, to clarify this issue. World Heritage sites have to be administered according to management plans prepared and implemented by the minister. The conservation management plan for the Sydney Opera House says:
The Sydney Opera House exterior, particularly the shells … should not be regarded as a giant billboard or commercial/advertising opportunity.
Labor has asked a number of questions of the minister, including: 'At what point did the minister ask for advice on the values of the Opera House and whether they had been breached or impacted? What was the advice provided to the minister? What decisions has the minister taken as a result of this advice?' So far, all we have heard from the minister is silence.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
The New South Wales government, devoid of a moral compass, has allowed our precious, world heritage listed Sydney Opera House to be lit up like a cheap billboard to promote what? To promote racing and gambling. That's what the New South Wales Liberal Nationals have allowed us to do against heritage laws—
Government senators interjecting—
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
It's the great moral issue of our time!
The PR ESIDENT: Senator Bernardi, that's not helpful while I'm calling for order on the other side of the chamber. Senator Faruqi, please continue.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
The New South Wales government has allowed our precious, World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House to be lit up like a cheap billboard to promote—what?—racing and gambling. That is what the New South Wales Liberals and Nationals have allowed.
Government senators interjecting—
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
It's the great moral issue of our time!
Scott Ryan President
Senator Bernardi, that's not helpful while I'm calling for order on the other side of the chamber.
Mehreen Faruqi NSW, Australian Greens
The New South Wales government has allowed the World Heritage listed Opera House to be lit up like a cheap billboard to promote racing and gambling, in complete contravention of state heritage laws and overwhelming community views. There is a powerful nexus of gambling, big business, media and dirty politics in New South Wales. We know that. So, sorry, Jones, sorry, Berejiklian and, sorry, Foley: the house belongs to the people, not to you.
Scott Ryan President
Leave is not granted. The question is that the motion moved by Senator Faruqi be agreed to.