Tarkine Smash & Grab puts cash price on Tassie devils

The Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that the Federal Government’s fast-tracked approval of the Nelson Bay River iron ore mine in the Tarkine was yet another blow to the endangered Tasmanian devil.

“The Federal Minister’s fast-tracked approval for this smash-and-grab iron ore mining operation in the Tarkine is a betrayal of the endangered Tasmanian devil,” Mr McKim said.

“Here we have the Federal Minister responsible for protecting Australia’s natural environment promoting a project that the experts say will contribute to the extinction of the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial.”

“The advice from Mr Butler’s own department clearly states that the mine will impact the devil, and is likely to introduce devil facial tumour disease to the area.”

“The Minister has even admitted in public statements that this mine will have an impact on the devil, regardless of the bandaid mitigation measures he is proposing.”

“The Minister has even gone as far as putting a cash price on the life of a Tassie devil, which demonstrates the kind of trade off he is prepared to make for the sake of this short-term smash and grab.”

“This is nothing but a short-term smash and grab raid on the Tarkine which will leave behind a legacy of damage to the endangered devil, to the Tarkine and to Tasmania’s brand.”

“What we are seeing is the death of a thousand cuts for the Tarkine and for the Tasmanian devil that calls it home.”

“This is a political decision, not a decision based on sound environmental or even economic considerations.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader Wednesday, 31 July 2013