We could have led the nation

WHALES LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
Lib/Lab Squander Opportunity for Whale Sanctuary

The Tasmanian Greens today expressed disappointment at the Labor and Liberal parties’ failure to recognise the benefits of declaring a formal whale sanctuary in Tasmanian waters.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said that the Greens’ Private Members Bill, the Whales Protection (State Sanctuary) Amendment Bill 2010, would have ended a legal anomaly in Tasmanian law that left State waters outside the current Australian Whale Sanctuary, which falls under Commonwealth law.

“Labor and Liberal have squandered an opportunity for Tasmania to take a national lead on this issue,” Ms O’Connor said.

“This simple legislative amendment would have cost the state nothing, but would have sent a strong message to the world that Tasmania’s waters are safe havens for these beautiful creatures.”

“The Greens’ push for a Whale Sanctuary in Tasmania comes only months after disturbing reports of Japanese whaling vessels spotted within Tasmanian territorial waters off Macquarie Island.”

“After almost disappearing completely, whales have begun returning to Tasmanian waters, and declaring a Whale Sanctuary would be a huge boost to our image as the clean, green state.”

“Labor federally has recognized the value of establishing whale sanctuaries in State and Territory waters, committing at the 2007 and 2010 Federal Elections to establish a ‘National Network of Whale and Dolphin Sanctuaries’, yet so far nothing has happened.”

“Here was a chance to demonstrate leadership at a national level, but sadly neither of the major parties was prepared to support a Greens’ Bill to do this.”

“Labor has once again deferred to a national approach as an excuse for inaction, just as they have done with container deposit legislation, a ban on battery hens and other reforms.”

“The Greens will continue our push for a Tasmanian Whale Sanctuary, regardless of the result of today’s vote,” Ms O’Connor said.