Minister for Threatening Species must resign

Cassy O’Connor Greens’ Environment Spokesperson, Thursday, 12 March 2009. MEDIA RELEASE
Auditor-General Special Report on Threatened Species Management – a Damning Indictment on Llewellyn and Bartlett Government…

Minister for Threatening Species must resign

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Minister responsible for threatening species in Tasmania to resign following the release of the Tasmanian Auditor-General’s damning report into the management of threatened species in Tasmania, Special report No. 78, Management of threatened species, March 2009.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said on Minister Llewellyn’s watch in his dual conflicting role as Minister responsible for both threatened species and forestry, native species habitat is being destroyed at an alarming rate, with 91 000 hectares of native forest felled and replaced with 95 000 hectares of plantation between 1996 and 2005.

“The Bartlett Government and Minister Llewellyn are responsible for destroying critical habitat and driving endangered species such as the Swift Parrot, Wedge-Tailed Eagle and the Tasmanian Devil even closer to extinction,” Ms O’Connor said.

“On the Auditor-General’s evidence, David Llewellyn should be known as the Minister for Threatening Species.”

“It is a travesty for our environment, biodiversity and threatened species that Mr Llewellyn has portfolio responsibility for both threatened species and forestry in Tasmania. The Greens will continue to push for threatened species management to be returned to the Environment portfolio where it belongs, and out of the destructive range of the Minister for Primary Industries and Water.”

“In the past six years despite the best efforts of good people working hard on the ground, 41 native Tasmanian species have joined the endangered list, and 11 have become vulnerable. Recently this has occurred on David Llewellyn’s watch.”

“The Auditor General has provided unequivocal evidence of a government that puts its clearfell, burn and plantation agenda far, far ahead of the protection of threatened species.”

“The Bartlett Government grossly under-resources and under-funds threatened species protection, and continues to destroy critical habitat apace, just as it is doing to the endangered Swift Parrot – now down to an estimated 1000 breeding pairs.”

“The Bartlett Government is prepared to smash a road through the Tarkine rainforest into the last disease-free stronghold of the endangered Tasmanian Devil.”

“And, the Bartlett Government has thrown its support behind the Walker Corporation proposal to destroy the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area and place at risk the survival of the critically endangered Spotted Handfish.”

“There are too many examples of this government’s neglect of threatened species in Tasmania. The Greens will continue to push for more funding, better prioritisation, the return of threatened species management to the Environment Department and the appointment of a Minister prepared to stand up to defend our threatened species,” Ms O’Connor said.

And, those seastars …

The Tasmanian Greens today said conflicting reports regarding the potential origin of the appearance of thousands of northern pacific seastars in Frederick Henry Bay at Lauderdale demonstrate why an independent police investigation will be the only way to resolve community concern.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said that many unanswered questions remain especially how it is that divers on the weekend found torn plastic bags were found full of live seastars.

“Apparently there is now a conflicting report as to the identity of the persons sighted and reported by a local Lauderdale resident a fortnight ago, which the Greens believe demonstrates why a full independent police investigation is needed to get to the bottom of this extremely disturbing incident,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The public also deserve to know why the Minister who is meant to be responsible for threatened species is so determined to not initiate a proper police investigation into this matter.”

“Lauderdale residents are upset and concerned by this sudden appearance of this feral pest in such large numbers, and they have a right to expect an exhaustive investigation is conducted before the Minister attempts to give the ‘all clear’. This inquiry has not been done and until it is, questions will remain.”

“Minister Llewellyn may wish to bury his head in the seabed, but this matter is far from over.”