Conservation group’s participation in government processes will be handicapped by axing of federal grants program
In the fine detail of the 2014-15 Federal Budget, the Abbott Coalition government has proposed the axing of the Grants to Voluntary, Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations Program (GVESHO) – which is provided each year to 150 state, regional and local conservation and heritage groups around the country, including the Tasmanian Conservation Trust, to cover operating costs incurred working with the federal government and its departments and advisory bodies.
‘Federal governments dating back to the Whitlam Government in 1973 have funded the GVESHO and axing this funding will handicap groups who collaborate with the federal government,’ said TCT Director Peter McGlone.
‘The TCT is represented on a significant number of committees advising the federal government on fisheries, threatened species and invasive species, as well as commenting on draft policies, plans and legislation.
‘Unless the Senate can amend the budget, the TCT and many similar groups around the country will have to continue to do this work voluntarily and at our own expense, or stop doing it.’
‘I don’t know how we are meant to contribute to these processes, perhaps we are meant to hitch-hike to Canberra for meetings’.
‘Perhaps Greg Hunt thinks that we should be self sufficient in funding but it is very difficult to raise funding for working on a committee – as important as this is.
The TCT prides itself on participating in government processes to give informed and independent science-based advice on development of management plans and new policies and to the administration of existing programs and legislation, including through formal committees. Participating in government processes gives the government an opportunity to take non-government views into account and deliver outcomes which are responsive to community interests. It ensures that we have access to appropriate information and that we form our responses using the same information available to government.
More than 150 groups share the $1.345 million allocated in the last GVESHO funding round and the TCT received $45,000 – 0.33% of the total.
‘Providing funding for conservation groups to participate in government processes is a good investment as it creates the opportunity to obtain win-win outcomes for industry and the environment and reduces conflict,’ Mr McGlone continued.
‘Stopping our participation will result in more decisions which are not sympathetic to community interests and cause greater contention and conflict, while saving very little money,’ Mr McGlone concluded.
Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc
Ph: 03 62 343552
2nd fl, 191-193 Liverpool St, Hobart 7000
Email : [email protected]
Fax: 03 62 312491
Web: www.tct.org.au
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