Liberal Party conservation credentials shattered

Thursday 12 October, 2009

Media release

The Victorian Liberal Party has ruined its conservation credentials after indicating in Parliament last night that they would vote against a Bill to create new River Red Gum national parks along the Murray River.

The Bill follows a three year independent investigation by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC), a body whose predecessor the Land Conservation Council (LCC) was originally created by the Victorian Liberal Party.

Since the 1970s, nearly all major LCC and VEAC recommendations have been supported by both Liberal and Labor parties.

Nick Roberts from the Victorian National Parks Association said the Liberal Party was taking a backwards step.

"Ted Baillieu's Liberal Party has now set an extraordinary precedent by failing to support legislation to protect forests, threatened species and create jobs, which is very disappointing," he said.

"The new parks will protect over 300 threatened or near‐threatened plants and animals in some of the most beautiful forests and wetlands in Australia. The Liberal Party must change its tune and support this Bill. "

Gavan McFadzean from the Wilderness Society said the decision to create the parks was based on extensive research and scientific evidence.

"The Victorian Government's decision to create the River Red Gums national parks follows more than four years of independent investigations and public consultation, and will see a significant reduction in environmentally damaging logging and cattle grazing," he said.

"The creation of the parks will also help reduce climate change by protecting significant carbon banks, and will add resilience to the highly stressed Murray River system."

Mr Roberts said the new parks were not only important for the protection of Victoria's environment but also as an historic step towards reconciliation.

"For the first time in Victoria, these new national parks will be established in partnership with Traditional Owners. Indigenous co‐management will deliver not only the best environmental outcomes, but important social and economic outcomes for the Yorta Yorta and Wadi Wadi peoples," he said.

"By not supporting this Bill, the Liberal Party is also opposing a historic and positive step on/towards reconciliation and empowerment of Traditional Owners."

The Brumby Government's commitment to create almost 100,000 hectares of new parks and reserves comes with a $38 million package that will see 40 new jobs created in parks management.

A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers also predicted an additional 23 jobs would be created in the tourism sector as a result of new national parks.

For further comments contact: Nick Roberts on 0429 945 429 or Gavan McFadzean on 0414 754 023.