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Greens-Media: Greens slam Howard Govt negligence in Western NSW |
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John Kaye <> |
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Fri, 28 May 2004 10:14:43 +1000 |
Greens slam Howard Govt negligence in Western NSW
Media Release: 28 May 2004
Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for NSW, Dr John Kaye, today
accused the Federal Government of selling Western NSW short by refusing to
fund conservation programs in the fragile Western Woodlands.
"The Federal Government has offered funding for biodiversity conservation
in areas like the Tweed, where there are marginal seats, but has done
nothing for the Western Woodlands," Dr Kaye said.
"The Brigalow Belt South was named by the Howard Government as one of just
15 biodiversity hotspots in Australia. But this environmental priority is
obviously not a political priority.
"Once again, the people of Western NSW are being overlooked by their
elected representatives.
"It is a scandal that the Government is playing political games with this
money, when the Western Woodlands remain in a critical state.
"Twenty-five animal species are already considered extinct in the area, and
another 40% of the remaining species are threatened with extinction.
"The Brigalow Belt South is poorly reserved and heavily cleared, and yet
government sanctioned logging and clearing of irreplaceable forests and
woodlands is still occurring.
"The Carr Government has done nothing, and the Howard Government is doing
nothing.
"It is possible to save these vital ecosystems while ensuring that small
timber dependent towns have a future. Regional prosperity and employment
depends on diversity. A sustainable future will come from value-adding,
tourism, mining and services, not hoping the forest resource will go on for
ever.
"Greens Senators and MPs will be pushing both major parties to act now - or
else there will be nothing left to save," Dr Kaye said.
For further information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
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