2020-12-10
The Victorian Greens have urged the Andrews Labor Government to immediately cease native forest logging across the state in a bid to protect our environment and the hundreds of species at risk of extinction.
Earlier today VicForests – the Victorian Government-owned logging company – released its annual report which revealed it made a $7.5 million loss in the past year.
That’s $7.5 million in taxpayer dollars being paid by the Victorian Government to log our native forests and send threatened species to extinction.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said ending native forest logging now would help to protect both the environment and our economy.
She said last summer’s bushfires pushed many animals and plants to the brink of extinction and that it was criminal to see the government waste millions of dollars contributing to this destruction.
An independent costing obtained by the Greens earlier this year found that ending native forest logging now would save the government $191.9 million dollars by 2030. This saving would include fast-tracking the $120 million industry transition package to ensure loggers and industry were well looked after now, rather than in five years.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
"Logging in Victoria lost $7.5 million last year. That’s taxpayer dollars that this Labor Government is throwing down the drain, while they destroy our precious native forests.
"This logging by the government is criminal and is sending species to extinction. We need to stop logging now, not in ten years when there’s nothing left."