Australians are largely unaware that the Environment Minister Gavin Jennings has signed the Western Victorian forests, including the Otways, over to VicForests. Mike Lawrence, Greens candidate for the marginal seat of Corangamite, says the overwhelming majority of Australians oppose native forest logging and will be outraged to learn of these changes.
"After promising to end native forest wood chipping in Western Victoria and protect the Otways, Labor has succumbed to their desire to raise the environmental rent again," said Mike Lawrence.
"After 40 years of activism, conservationists are shocked but not surprised and are ready to take the gloves off again."
"Jennings admits that whilst Victoria’s ecosystems are among the most diverse in the world, they are some of the most highly stressed in Australia and will be subject to additional stresses as a result of climate change. Jennings then signs off on a 15 year license to log!"
"Australians are tired of career politicians saying one thing to gain votes and then doing the opposite. VicForests consistently loses money and by also neglecting environmental costs we lose forever the opportunity to retain this biodiversity."
"Labor treats Native forest like mines, a once only resource discounted by neglecting to pay the social and environmental cost of the ‘commodities’ once only use. They haven’t woken up to the realities of living on a finite planet."
"Both Liberal and ALP support native forest wood chipping. The Greens do not."
"The wood chip market is looking for a higher quality and consistency of plantation product that meets FSC environmental standards in its production. They do not want product that will ultimately damage the environment and their reputations."
"This is the sustainable growth area in logging, particularly local value-added milled timbers. It is the highway to Green Jobs and out of our native forests...now!"