© Barry Traill
Original story from WWF
Premier bulldozed on tree-clearing: A sad day in Queensland environmental history
Tuesday 21 May 2013 will be forever remembered as a sad day in Queensland’s environmental history, as the Newman Government stripped back protections for the state’s forests.
WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said the passing of the Vegetation Management Framework Amendment Bill by the Queensland parliament amounted to one of the largest environmental rollbacks in Australia’s history, and was a clear breach of a commitment made by Premier Campbell Newman.
“By not intervening, the Premier has acted against advice from Queensland’s leading scientists,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“These amendments have stripped away protections for two million hectares of mature and recovering bushland.”
Mr O’Gorman said the Premier made an election promise in writing to “retain the current level of statutory vegetation protection”, yet this commitment counted for nothing.
“Today’s decision is very disappointing. The Premier should stand up and balance the needs of all Queenslanders, not the needs of a few in his Cabinet.
“Homes for at least 163 species of endangered and vulnerable native plants and animals – including koalas, wallabies, cockatoos, cassowaries and quolls are now at risk.
“These changes will lead to an increased extinction risk for wildlife, cause soil erosion, water pollution and release millions of tonnes of CO2.”
WWF-Australia contact:
Daniel Rockett, National Media Manager, 0432 206 592,drockett@wwf.org.au
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