A policy whoopee cushion

Roger Hanney

Burke is Chairman of the Australian Environment Foundation. AEF regularly proclaim their independence and devotion to practical environmentalism. But they are not so much a policy think tank as a policy whoopee cushion, producing fart noises in the key of corporate profit whenever opportunity arises. Amusingly, AEF’s website was initially registered to the same phone number and postal address as Timber Communities Australia. Formerly the Forest Protection Society, TCA essentially masquerade as blue collar timber workers wanting to make high quality furniture. But the only thing they seem to stand for is more woodchipping and harsher policing of forest blockades. Even funnier, AEF’s registered place of business happened to be the Melbourne office of the very right wing Institute of Public Affairs whose former executive director Mike Nahan was named as a director on AEF’s board.
PRIME TIME gardener and environmental opportunist Don Burke has signed on as a pulp mill spokesperson for Tasmanian forest fucker Gunns Ltd. His status is supposedly more ‘consultant’ flavoured, and he has made noise to the effect that he will be able to look at all of their operation and ask anything he wants.

But this, speaking objectively, is utter bullshit.

Burke is Chairman of the Australian Environment Foundation. AEF regularly proclaim their independence and devotion to practical environmentalism. But they are not so much a policy think tank as a policy whoopee cushion, producing fart noises in the key of corporate interest whenever opportunity arises.

Amusingly, AEF’s website was initially registered to the same phone number and postal address as Timber Communities Australia.

Formerly the Forest Protection Society, TCA essentially masquerade as blue collar timber workers wanting to make high quality furniture. But the only thing they seem to stand for is more woodchipping and harsher policing of forest blockades.

Even funnier, AEF’s registered place of business happened to be the Melbourne office of the very right wing Institute of Public Affairs whose former executive director Mike Nahan was named as a director on AEF’s board.

Even though all of this information is available around the internet, the fact that Friends of the Earth put it in a press release probably means that it is a filthy green conspiracy.

Regardless, some people still think that Don Burke – chairman of a deceptive policy fart chamber that promotes nuclear power, denies climate change, loves mining, woodchipping and nuclear waste – is a bit of alright. The magic of celebrity being what it is, they may now see that alrightness transferred to Gunns and their insane pulp mill proposal.

But consider this – Peter Garrett and Maxine McKew both work for Kevin Rudd. Is he now a stunningly effective investigative journalist with unique and powerful vocal stylings?

Interviewing Don Burke last year, as much as I was struck by his intelligence and affability, I was similarly struck by his hypocrisy.

On the one hand, he made it clear that interviewers should be talked to rather than talked with. This was evident quite early on as he conveyed to me his strong feeling that the person being asked questions is in the spotlight, there to speak expertly, and not to be argued with.

At the other end of the interview, however, he proudly recalled the time when he had just about wrapped up an interview with world renowned environmentalist David Suzuki. With enough tape in the can, Burke began pressing Suzuki about his views on genetically modified organisms and criticizing his understanding of the science to such an extent that Suzuki got up and walked out of the interview.

Burke sounded quite pleased with his recollection of the day. Although one must wonder what kind of interviewer would get such a reaction from an even tempered genetic scientist, such as Suzuki.

Own opinion; a dick.

This is the html version of the file http://www.tca.org.au/Home%20Page%20Documents/Message%20from%20the%20chairman%20of%20AEF.pdf.

Google automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AEF

As chairman of the Australian Environment Foundation I offer this message of support to the people of Tasmania as you continue on the path of sustainable development for your state. I know that some times that path becomes a difficult one to navigate. This is why I know you are here today. The guiding principles for a development to achieve sustainability is valuing economic, environmental and social benefits.

The AEF is a forward thinking environmental group, we consider that people are an integral part of the natural environment and that people provide the means to protect and enhance it. The AEF is therefore focused on identifying and promoting ‘people friendly’ solutions to environmental problems.

We take an evidence-based, solution focused approach to environmental and development issues. In considering future development including your proposed pulp mill for Bell Bay I urge you all to
consider the scientific evidence that has been supplied by independent consultants about the mill. I am pleased that this evidence has been made available for all Tasmanians to view and to enable
you to make informed choices and decisions about the development.

Sustainable development provides a continuing flow of benefits for the community. It is clear that you will receive substantial additional power into your state grid from the surplus generated by the
mill. This is just one of the benefits for all to share.

Water is another natural resource we all depend upon. Studies show that the proposed mill water usage is unlikely to exceed an amount equal to 1% of the flow into the Tamar estuary. I am also very interested in your salmon farming ventures, which appear to be another positive example of sustainable development that lessen the impact on the natural environment. All around Tasmania different ventures are providing jobs and security to Tasmanians without causing harm to the environment. We need to be vigilant that this remains the case. Development is required for the state to prosper. It is only through a healthy and dynamic economy that both the people and the environment progress.

My observations of the present debates in relation to environmental matters are that, at times the science-based evidence is being over taken by unscientific claims. This is very disappointing and sadly is not new.

The Australian Environment Foundation was formed to ensure that all sides of the debate on matters affecting the environment would be heard. The AEF cares for both Australia and Australians and we are listening so that your aspirations receive proper consideration.

I’m sorry I can’t be with you today, due to ill health, as I was looking forward to meeting you all and standing with your chosen speakers including your Premier, and Opposition Leader in support of sustainable development and environmental best practice.

Don Burke
Chairman
Australian Environment Foundation

PO Box 274
Deakin West, ACT 2600
Email:
info@aefweb.info
ABN: 22 112 894 872