Update on  The Business Climate

and

Environmental Policy

in

Australia

 

 

 

Prepared by:

Eustacia Marie Jennings

 

 

 

 

ENVR 5931

“International  Environmental Management”

Spring Semester, 2002

Professor Peter Bowman

 

 

 

 

May 2^nd,  2002

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary

 

            This document is designed to serve as a supplement to a previous report done of the business climate and environmental policy in Australia. The extensive report was done by five students in the ‘Seminar on Environmental Management” course at the University of Houston Clear Lake in 1995.¹   Since this time there have been some changes in Australia.

            One of the major changes since 1995 is the spread of the internet throughout the world. Cyberspace and even cyber business, which refer to the use of the internet, have taken the world by storm. Not to be left out Australia, too, has caught onto the wave. As such, e-commerce and e-business in Australia are explored in this paper to see the steps this country, at the bottom on the globe, is taking to keep up with the rest of the world in cyber space.

            With the world movements toward free trade and open markets, Australia has also been on the journey to secure its place in the global market.  Australia’s international relations with trade and also environmental agreements will be presented.

            Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) was passed in 1999 and served as a culmination of six previously existing Acts.  The large area that this Act and its regulations encompass will be also be explored. 

            The previous report also sought to enlighten the reader on the environmental policies and legislation in the various states and territories in Australia. This is important because in Australia, despite the federal laws, the real power to enforce and create environmental policy lies within the states and territories. The movement, however, in the past few years has been to centralize this power back at the federal level.   Some of the laws and information for many of the states and territories were not included in the earlier report and will be presented in this one.

              

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Executive Summary …………………………………….………………………………………1

 

Table of Contents……………………………………….……………………………………….2

 

Introduction………………….. ……………………………………………………………..…..3

 

Economic and Business Culture

            E-Business in Australia…….…………………………………………………….…….….5

            Australia and Free Trade……………………………………………………….…………8

 

Australia’s Environment

The Well-Being of Australia………………………………………………………………10

Australia’s Environmental Status………………………………………………………….14

International Environmental Policies………………………………………………………18

The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act

            History……………………………………………………………….…………………..21

            The Act, Its Regulations and Amendments………...………………………………………21

            Acceptance and Implementation of the Act…………………....….……………………….22

           

State Environmental Legislation in Australia

            Victoria…………………………………………………………………………………..24

            Tasmania…………………………………………………………………………………24

            Western Australia…………………………………………………………….…………..24

New South Wales…………………………………………………………….…………..24

            Queensland………………………………………………………………….……………26

            South Australia……………………………………………………………..……………..27

            Northern Territory…………………………………………………………..…………….29

            Australian Capital Territory………………………………………………………………..30

 

 

Conclusion ……………..……………………….………………………………………………32

 

References.…………………………………………………………...…………………………33

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

 

            The country “down under” is the phrase usually used to describe the continent of Australia. Position in the southern hemisphere, Australia is in a very peculiar position; many may consider it far and out of the way with regards to the United States; however, its location has various advantages.

            Many like myself may not know that much of Australia but the thought of it intrigues one to find out more. Indeed, if one plans on conducting business there, or attending a university there, as I do, it is important to learn more about what this country has to offer.  The motive for going to this island will determine how much information pertaining to a particular sector of life in Australia is needed.

            A person like myself whose primary interest in Australia is with regards to what it has to offer in terms of education in Environmental Management, would need to appreciate and see the advantages.  With the safaris outback as a classroom and a society not highly industrialized, lots can be learned and comparisons can be made with environmental matters in the Bahamas and the United States.  

Australia is a land full of natural resources, boasting of having the largest coral reef – the Great Barrier Reef on its northeast shores.   Visitors may be interested also in the rich biodiversity Australia has to offer and to experience the culture of the people. Before venturing forwards it would be advisable to gain some information about the culture to aid in understanding the citizens. 

The country also attracts the business person who will no doubt have to be well versed in the legal aspects and working of government. In order to insure success in a business venture, it is also important to understand the business culture in Australia. 

As I consider a move to Australia to attend university, and at some point, to work there, it is obvious that this project will equip me to a large degree by exposing me to the culture, business climate, laws and environmental status of Australia.