Successful Tasmanian businessman, environmentalist and tourism operator Greg Irons has called on the Abbott Government to drop its request to delist Tasmania’s new World Heritage forests.
Mr Irons, the 2012 Young Tasmanian of the Year and owner of the highly successful Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Tarkine Trails, will also speak at a major World Heritage rally in Hobart on June 14 – just before the World Heritage Committee will meet to decide the fate of the Coalition’s ill-conceived application.
“If you take a long-term view on delivering all-round benefits for Tasmania and its future generations, you can only shake your head at the proposal to revoke World Heritage so forests can be logged,” Mr Irons said.
“It should be dropped.
“Not only does this send an atrocious message about Australia’s commitment to protecting the environment and respecting World Heritage, it sets an appalling precedent to other countries and undermines World Heritage protection across the globe.
“If Australia can’t respect and protect World Heritage forests in Tasmania, with trees almost 100m tall and ancient Aboriginal heritage, what hope is there for the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Kakadu, the Blue Mountains and other World Heritage icons in Australia.”
Mr Irons said he is proud to lend his voice to the upcoming Rally to Respect World Heritage on Parliament House lawns on June 14.
“Tasmania needs to look for economic opportunities derived from protecting our unique natural environment,” he said.
“Tasmania’s tourism industry relies on the island’s clean green image to attract tourists from all around the world. It is a fact that some people will boycott visiting Tasmania should this protection be lifted.
“The Coalition’s actions can be seen as taking money out of the pockets of all tourism operators in the state and in turn reducing tourism jobs.
“The opportunities for economic gain and jobs through tourism are far greater than the alternative. History has well and truly proved that to us yet Governments still ignore the fact. Wilderness Society spokesman Vica Bayley said:
“People have rallied for decades to see their world-class forests across the state protected. This upcoming event is another opportunity for individuals to come together as one and call on Government to respect state, national and international protections for our environment and preserve and the outstanding values of our forests.
“The Abbott proposal to axe World Heritage has been shown to be based on a lie, has been condemned by expert in the field and should be withdrawn before Australia suffers more embarrassment,” he said.
The Respect World Heritage rally will be held on Parliament House lawns on Saturday, June 14, at noon.
Speakers include Greg Irons, Jamie Kirkpatrick (Distinguished Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies), Peter Norris (President, Southern Beekeepers Association), Rodney Dillon (Aboriginal Tasmanian) and Lesley Nicklason (Friends of the Blue Tier). See attached for details.
Download Flyer:
TWS_TAS_RALLY_LR_230514.pdf
Vica Bayley, The Wilderness Society
