2021-12-01
The Victorian Greens have used this week in Parliament to increase pressure on the Victorian Labor Government to take action against its outlaw organisation VicForests.
Earlier in the week a number of reports alleged that VicForests had been involved in spying on environmentalists, illegal logging, and failing to regenerate forests they had already cleared.
In the midst of a climate crisis and with Victoria’s threatened species list now topping 2,000, destroying our forests and the habitats of our precious animals is nothing short of environmental vandalism.
That’s why the Greens have decided to ramp up pressure on the government this week in Parliament by:
- Introducing a Bill to repeal Victoria’s Wood Pulp Agreement. This agreement has directly led to the alleged illegal logging by providing VicForests with a guaranteed quantity of timber each year no matter what. The Greens’ Bill would repeal this agreement and help Victoria end native forest logging much sooner.
- Introducing a motion calling on the government to abolish VicForests. The motion calls on the outlaw organisation to be replaced with a new Forest Transition Authority tasked with delivering a transition out of native forest logging in Victoria by 2023.
- Referring VicForests’ alleged conduct to the Victorian Ombudsman for investigation. The referral asks the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation into whether VicForests has complied with public sector values, codes of conduct and employment principles and practices.
- Referring VicForests to IBAC and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police. The Greens want them to investigate whether spying on a private citizen and widespread illegal logging constitutes corrupt and/or criminal behaviour.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said the Victorian Labor Government had let VicForests get away with criminal activity and that it was time to shut them down and end native forest logging for good.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“The Greens have been saying for years that logging native forests in Victoria is a complete environmental disaster and that the Victorian Labor Government needs to end it now.
“Instead, the Labor Government has allowed its outlaw organisation VicForests to run rampant and clear our beautiful forests and the habitats for our precious wildlife. Enough is enough.”