Crisis meeting of national groups over environment agency axing

PEAK ENVIRONMENT BODIES

The peak environment bodies from Australia’s states and territories have held an emergency meeting in Hobart today prompted by the Tasmanian government’s recent decision to axe its environment department and put environmental departmental responsibilities in with resource extraction portfolio areas.
The peak environment bodies from Australia’s states and territories have held an emergency meeting in Hobart today prompted by the Tasmanian government’s recent decision to axe its environment department and put environmental departmental responsibilities in with resource extraction portfolio areas. The groups agreed that the decision is unprecedented at a national level, and sends an incredibly bad signal about the value the Tasmanian government is currently placing on Tasmania’s natural environment, natural capital and environmental resources.

“We find the Tasmanian government’s decision to axe the environment department unbelievable,” said Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO of Environment Victoria, “Our government would be roasted if they even vaguely considered such a move. Tasmania is such a special place, and there is so much opportunity for new jobs and wealth if Tasmania protects and celebrates its environmental assets and natural capital,” she said.

The Western Australian government in 2001 took a decision to protect all of its Old-growth forests in new National parks. Piers Verstegen, Director, Conservation Council of Western Australia has urged Tasmania to follow W.A’s lead, “Since ending old-growth logging in Western Australia our timber towns have boomed” said Mr Verstegen, “People all around the country have a special place in their heart for Tassie, and I think that we all want to see this great place become the national and international icon that it can and should become,” he concluded.

Dr Phill Pullinger, Director of Environment Tasmania said “It is really encouraging to have such strong national recognition for this issue. We will be jointly writing to all political leaders at a state and federal level urging them to work together to ensure that Tasmania does not become a pariah state nationally when it comes to the environment, and instead that a strong, vibrant, environmentally and economically sustainable future for Tasmania is built.”

Australia’s peak environment bodies represented at the meeting today were;
Cate Faehrmann, CEO, Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Piers Verstegen, Director, Conservation Council of WA
Julie Pettitt, CEO, Conservation Council of SA
Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO, Environment Victoria
Toby Hutcheon, Director, Queensland Conservation Council
Phill Pullinger, Director, Environment Tasmania
John Hibberd, Executive Director, Conservation Council of the ACT