Rudd must intervene

CHRISTINE MILNE

“The Prime Minister cannot allow Premier Bartlett to abolish the department which manages one of Australia’s precious World Heritage Areas,”

Christine Milne
Australian Senate Australian Greens Deputy Leader

media release
Canberra, Thursday 14 May 2009
Rudd must intervene to protect
Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area
Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, today wrote to the Prime Minister
asking him intervene to save Tasmania’s Environment Department, save jobs and ensure that
Australia meets its obligations under the World Heritage Convention.
“The Prime Minister cannot allow Premier Bartlett to abolish the department which manages
one of Australia’s precious World Heritage Areas,” Senator Milne said.
“As Mr Rudd’s predecessor, Bob Hawke, realised, Australia’s World Heritage obligations
cannot be wilfully ignored by recalcitrant state governments. If necessary, the Commonwealth
has no choice but to intervene to protect our magnificent world heritage.
“Mr Rudd’s Government provides funding for the management of the Tasmanian Wilderness
World Heritage Area. Where will that money now go if the Department is axed?
“Premier Bartlett’s environmentally and economically irresponsible decision would destroy not
only the jobs of many public servants doing vital work, but also jeopardise thousands of jobs in
tourism as our world famous natural heritage is further eroded.”
The Labor Party and Coalition joined forces in the Senate today to defeat a Greens motion
calling on the Tasmanian Government not to disband the Environment Department.
Senator Milne’s letter to the Prime Minister is available on request.