2022-08-25
Public confidence in Australia’s environment laws has been undermined by disturbing reports of Tasmanian and federal bureaucrats politicising science surrounding the tragic decline of the swift parrot.
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Reports that Tasmanian and federal bureaucrats appear to have taken actions to politicise the science surrounding the sad decline of swift parrots are a shocking betrayal of public trust in our governments.
“If it is true that Tasmanian bureaucrats tried to influence a report at the request of the logging industry or a captured state government, it's just another example of why you can't trust the states to manage national matters of environmental significance.
“Tanya Plibersek’s critical and timely review of our failed federal environment laws must lead to reforms that prevent short term vested interests from putting more species at risk.
“Downplaying threats to the swift parrot’s recovery plan because they are politically inconvenient is not only immoral but totally undermines the public’s confidence in laws designed to stop species being pushed to the brink of extinction.
“It's little wonder people are taking matters into their own hands and resorting to protests and direct action.
“I urge the Albanese Government to support an end to native forest logging in Tasmania – like we’ve seen in WA and Victoria. It’s the right thing to do for the climate and biodiversity restoration, and it’s what is needed to protect critically endangered species like the swift parrot.”