News that many rare and endangered Swift Parrots have arrived at Wielangta Forest for the nesting season should trigger an immediate ban on logging, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said today.
"Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has the survival of these marvellous little parrots squarely on his shoulders," Senator Brown said.
"The Commonwealth has the power to immediately overturn the Regional Forest Agreement if the Tasmanian authorities proceed with logging at Wielangta, or in other Swift Parrot nesting forests in South East Tasmania.
"The ban should extend to other forests like Bruny Island and the coastal Southern Forests," Senator Brown said.
"On the weekend, the local community group set up to protect Wielangta saw Swift Parrots in and near the patch of forest on top of the Wielangta region called coupe 19D, which is due to be logged during the nesting season.
"An expert has described coupe 19D as the best swift parrot nesting site he has ever seen.
In 2006 the Federal Court found that logging at Wielangta threatened the endangered Swift Parrot.
"This is a vital test of Peter Garrett's responsibility to protect the Swift Parrot, which is recognised at state, federal and global level as rare and endangered. He should invoke the Commonwealth powers to protect Wielangta and implement an immediate recovery plan for this remarkable bird.
The Swift Parrot migrates to the mainland for winter and crosses Bass Strait, in just three hours, to nest in Tasmania each spring.
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603