Australian Greens Leader and Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne says the Abbott government’s own Environment Department has again undermined claims that large swathes of the Tasmanian Wilderness should lose World Heritage protection.
Senator Milne pointed out that the World Heritage Committee will be disgusted that the Australian Government so brazenly tried to mislead it, in efforts to access forests for logging
“Tony Abbott must stop trashing Tasmania’s clean, green and clever reputation. He must withdraw this shameful request to change the boundary of the TWWHA and spare the World Heritage Committee from his ideological agenda, before the Committee meets in Qatar later this month.” Senator Milne commented.
Senator Milne pointed out that when the World Heritage Committee expanded our Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area only last year, they did so with full knowledge that some small areas needed rehabilitation. The Senator added thatThe Environment Department through the Senate Committee and now from the Secretary have confirmed what the world knows, and that is that only small areas have been disturbed and need rehabilitating
“The World Heritage Committee’s draft decision recommending rejection of the Abbott government’s submission, along with the evidence from Australia’s own Environment Department, will reinforce to other state parties to the Convention of the extent to which the Abbott Government is ruled by ideology, not responsibility.” Senator Milne said.