Hon Deputy Speaker, we have a solemn custodial duty towards the management, security and welfare of our environment. Our Constitution includes the right to a healthy environment and promotes sustainable development. Through this Bill, we seek to strengthen and properly co-ordinate this resolve.
The composite amendments that this Bill proposes address key shortcomings within the five pieces of environmental legislation it encompasses. The revision and clarification of certain ambiguities, the deletion of obsolete provisions, the alignment of penal provisions, and the changing of certain timeframes from a period of four to five years for preparation of the environmental implementation and management plans, allow a greater margin for the successful achievement of objectives set in terms of these timeframes. However, these extensions should not be viewed as an opportunity for great departmental procrastination.
The increase in fines and penalties for contraventions of the various environmental acts is welcomed, but is not enough. The polluter pays principle must be enforced against any person, natural or juristic, found guilty of harming our environment. Pre-emptive environmental impact assessments must be stringent enough, always erring on the side of caution when assessing environmental impact.
We fully support the amendment of section 24, which reaffirms that no exemption may be granted from the requirements to obtain environmental authorisation when intending to undertake a listed activity, in terms of section 24 of the National Environmental Management Act.
We also support the amendment in section 24, which empowers the Minister to provide further support, as the threats and challenges are fluid, and can change on an immediate and unpredictable basis. Our laws must be flexible enough to allow for an immediate and further departmental response to such crises as and when they occur.
In conclusion, I reiterate the words of the Minister when she said that South Africa's natural and cultural resources underpin a large part of the economy, and that many people are dependent on them for employment, food, shelter, medicine and spiritual wellbeing.
The IFP supports this Bill and wholly supports a safe, sustainable, and healthy environment in South Africa. I thank you. [Applause.]