from WWF
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman is the star of a new WWF-Australia television and radio advertisement, which aims to prevent one of the largest environmental rollbacks in Australia’s history.
The advertisements, to begin airing across Queensland today, shine the spotlight squarely on Premier Newman’s election-eve commitment to protect the landmark laws that protect Queensland’s bushland from broadscale tree-clearing.
WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the Premier was now the only person who could stop bulldozing of bushland that would put Queensland wildlife at risk.
“Recent moves by sections of Mr Newman’s cabinet to strip back bushland protections fly in the face of the Premier’s commitment,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“We thought the bush was safe from the bulldozers, and before the election Mr Newman agreed.
“But a few in his government now want to drag us back to slashing and burning.
“These laws protect some of our most precious wildlife habitat. If the proposals on the table are allowed to proceed, thousands of koalas and other animals will be at risk.
“Right now, there are two million hectares of mature and recovering bushland that are protected by law – these protections could be stripped back within a week.
“At greatest risk is 700,000 hectares of recovering endangered and ecologically important bushland, which is protected now, but will become entirely exempt from existing tree-clearing restrictions if the bill passes.
“The Premier is now the only person who can stop the rollback.
“We urge the Premier – stand up for Queensland’s bush. Don’t be bulldozed.”
Note to editors:
• WWF’s television advert can be viewed online at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2rRXtVlP8. A high-resolution version of the advertisement can be supplied on request.
• WWF-Australia last week released a scientific analysis that has been peer reviewed by eminent ecologists. It shows proposals to wind back Queensland’s landmark tree-clearing laws would be a disaster for Queensland’s beloved bushland if implemented. The report can be viewed in full online at: http://www.wwf.org.au/bushland_at_risk_report/
• The Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill 2013 is currently before the Queensland Parliament, and could be passed into law as early as next Tuesday.
WWF-Australia contact:
Daniel Rockett, National Media Manager, 0432 206 592,drockett@wwf.org.au
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