The Tasmanian Greens today marked the 30th anniversary of the High Court decision that saved the Franklin River.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said it was a fitting tribute that the anniversary fell so close to the recent United Nations decision to extend the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
“The High Court decision not only saved one of the world’s great wild rivers, but demonstrated how protecting our environment leads to long-term wealth and job creation,” Mr McKim said.
“We will see the same positive benefits as a result of the recent decision to extend Tasmania’s World Heritage Area.”
“The Franklin campaign stands as a powerful symbol of what is possible when the community comes together to defend the environment from greed and exploitation.”
“The vision and foresight of those community leaders helped sow the first seeds of the modern, clean and green Tasmania which we now all take for granted.”
“But as things change they also stay the same, and it is disappointing that the Liberals still insist on putting short-term profits ahead of ancient wilderness that will serve the state’s economy for generations.”
“The same greedy and bloody-minded attitude that drove Premier Robin Gray to send the bulldozers up the Gordon River is alive and well in today’s Liberal Party.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader Monday, 1 July 2013
