Media release – Madeleine Ogilvie, Minister for the Environment, 20 December 2024
Response to State of the Environment Report
The Tasmanian Government has released its response to the 2024 State of the Environment Report.
The Government response recognises the breadth and scope of the Report, and thanks the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the many individuals who helped to produce the Report.
Minister for the Environment, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the Government’s response provides a clear path towards an even more sustainable Tasmania.
“This response demonstrates the commitment of the Government to the Tasmanian environment, highlighting the many ways in which we are acting to protect and support our unique environment,” Minister Ogilvie said.
“We are seeking to enable greater collaboration between key partners, like our NRMs, as part of our existing strategy for Tasmania’s environment as we work towards our common goal of a more sustainable Tasmania.
“Our long term strategy for the environment portfolio is mature, based on science and the best available expert advice. It delivers results and prioritises data gathering for future decision making.
“Work has already begun on emerging issues and our Government will build on current efforts to sustainably support the environment, the research sector and the broader economy.
The response provides a framework, committing to four key priorities:
- championing our long-term vision and strategy for Tasmania’s environment through greater collaboration with NRMs;
- developing an environmental data strategy for Tasmania;
- continuing investment in the Tasmanian Reserve Estate; and
- improving native vegetation mapping and information.
The response will be tabled in Parliament during the first sittings of the 2025 Parliament year. The resourcing for future initiatives will be considered in the 2025-26 State Budget process.
The response is available on the NRE Tas website at https://nre.tas.gov.au/
Media release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Environment Spokesperson, 20 December 2024
Liberals SOE response will see environment continue to decline
The Liberals have released their response to the State of the Environment Report on the eve of the Christmas holiday period, in a textbook case of lack of transparency on Tasmania’s environment. In an appalling response to the State of the Environment Report, the Liberal Government have provided no new initiatives or signalled new funding to improve the declining condition of Tasmania’s precious environment.
The decade-overdue State of the Environment Report showed that nearly two thirds of key environmental indicators were in decline or poor. It’s no surprise given the Liberal’s mismanagement and cheerleading of vested interests who have been destroying Tasmania’s environment for the last decade. In a biodiversity and climate crisis, something needed to change.
The poor state of Tasmania’s environment should’ve been a wakeup call for the Rockliff Government. The Liberals response to the State of the Environment Report shows just how little they care about Tasmania’s environment, and all of those who rely on it.
In their response, the Liberals simply point to the actions they already have in place for managing Tasmania’s environment. They’ve provided no new funding or initiatives to improve the health of Tasmania’s environment. It’s a completely inadequate response, which will see Tasmania’s environment continue to decline.
Out of 16 recommendations, the Liberals have only accepted 6 in full. The Rockliff Government have outright refused to implement clear and sensible recommendations to improve Tasmania’s environment, including the expansion of formal reserves on public land and waters and the removal of protections for a pest species, fallow deer.
The Liberals need to get serious about protecting Tasmania’s precious environment. We need a real response to the state of Tasmania’s environment, which sees new programs and funding to protect Tasmania’s unique native species, forests, waters and coasts.
