I've been asked to forward this message to provide a template for
registering concerns about land clearing in Queensland. None of this
is my work, but I support the call to limit land clearing in all
states. The Australian Conservation Foundation estimates that
Australia now ranks 5th in the world for land clearing (I don't know
the source of this data, or its statistical basis - someone may be
able to enlighten us)
Russell Woodford
For yourself, your kids, your country
and ALL of its natural inhabitants,
please assist with this!
Land clearing in Queensland is killing thousands upon thousands of
native animals and destroying entire communities of native plants.
This is happening every day. It is happening right now while you read
this.
It is not just agony, death and extinction to native species. It also
has a human cost.
Big dollars worth of future repair bills are now accumulating.
Soil damage due to erosion and salinity.
Sedimentation and nutrification of streams, rivers, and inshore
marine areas, including the Great Barrier Reef, robbing them of the
capacity to support and breed life.
Aridification and desertification of expanding empty paddocks.
Feral weed expansion
Carbon pollution that will accelerate climate change
These are just some of the things that you are now starting to pay
for because of reckless landclearing. Telstra, an Australian icon was
partly sold off with the promise of environmental repair through the
NHT program. The Federal Government's own report has shown this to be
a wasteful failure, largely due to the expensive attention given to
planting trees in confined areas rather than preventing their initial
destruction across massive expanses.
This poorly spent $1.75 billion is just the start. You will keep
paying more, and your children will pay even more again, unless the
problems are prevented at the cause, not just covered in election
bandaids.
On Monday Feb. 21st John Howard finally refused to financially
support Queensland's Native Vegetation Protection legislation. In
doing this, he ignored his Government's promises to the world in
containing Greenhouse emissions. He also ignored his promises to the
Democrats about Greenhouse and Biodiversity that he made to get his
beloved GST accepted in the Senate.
The one thing he could have done to genuinely address these
commitments, he failed to do. He failed to save for Australian's both
their Natural Heritage as well as a hell of a lot of money. He failed
his own Government's legislated policies.
Why did he do this?
He wanted to keep a handful of rowdy Queensland National Party
agitators quiet on his GST debacle, so he indulged their desire to
keep both native species and political blood flowing freely across
the most biodiverse state in the country.
It is our own version of East Timor. It is just as bloody, just as
ruthless and just as calculated by those who could stop it tomorrow
if they would just be genuine and transparently pursue their public
policy commitments.
Please help yourselves, our future national debt, and our wonderfully
diverse, but severely threatened native plants and animals .
Fax, post or email a letter of outrage to both John Howard and Robert
Hill. Tell them that they have a clear responsibilty to help solve
these problems, and that they are irresponsible if they retreat from
assisting the Queenland Government to enact its Vegetation protection
legislation. This Act must be proclaimed, and it must be done now!
For this to happen, the Federal Government must get involved and
contribute money.
Please pass this on to as many people as you can. It will only be
pressure from enough people that will dislodge our Prime Minister
from his current woeful attitude.
Please write now before it is overlooked. Send even a short message.
Fax it preferably. Send an email as well.
Flood them with our discontent.
Send your stuff to:
John Howard Prime Minister
Address: MG 8, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 7111
Fax (02) 6277 2058
Sorry - email not easy to find at short notice - please fax.
AND
Senator the Hon. Robert Hill Minister for Environment & Heritage
Address: Suite MG 68, Ministerial Wing, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6277 7640
Fax: (02) 6273 6101
<>
Sample Fax / Email
Feel free to cut and paste or construct your own.
Dear Mr.
Your Government has committed itself to greenhouse abatement and
native species protection. These commitments can only be realised if
native vegetation clearing substantially slows in Queenland.
You must reconsider your position and financially assist the
Queenland Government to proclaim their Vegetation Protection Bill as
soon as possible.
Widespread clearing will continue without control unless you do this.
Your responsibilty and credibility on these issues is now being
judged. I, amongst many others, implore you to pass this test.
We are all waiting and watching.
Russell Woodford
Birding-Aus List Manager
Ph (BH/AH) (03) 52 739 237
Fax (03) 52 739 371
Mobile 0419 395 100
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