2016-06-05
Greens outline plan to save threatened Victorian native wildlife
On World Environment Day today, the Greens launched their $2.1 billion election policy to protect native wildlife, which would help bring threatened species such as Victoria’s animal emblem, the critically endangered Leadbeater’s Possums.
The Greens plan would commit $2 billion over 6 years to re-establish and double funding for the Biodiversity Fund, which was abolished under Abbott/Turnbull Government after Labor halved its funding while in government.
“Our unique birds and animals are a huge part of our national identity, but too many are under threat from mining, logging, tree clearing and the impacts of global warming,” said the Greens forests spokesperson Senator Janet Rice.
“We’re taking action to reverse the damage done by the slashing of the Biodiversity Fund, which is exacerbating the extinction crisis our native wildlife is facing.
“Australia has one of the worst mammal extinction rates in the world, with 1 out of 3 mammal extinctions globally in the last 400 years occurring in Australia.
“There are as few as 1200 Leadbeater’s Possums left, yet logging in their unique habitat is still being subsidised.
“David Attenborough supports the Great Forest National Park to protect the Leadbeater’s Possums and the Victorian Labor government must commit to it too.
“At a federal level, Labor and the Coalition should use World Environment Day to match the Greens’ $2 billion commitment to restore and double the Biodiversity Fund, which provided incentives for landholders to protect native wildlife habitat.”
The Greens would invest $130 million over four years to identify and protect important habitat and to fund threatened species management and research, as well as allowing the federal government to step in to protect that critical habitat via properly funded bioregional plans.
“The Greens will always stand up for native species, which are so much a part of our national identity and draw visitors from all over the world to delight in our unique natural beauty,” concluded Senator Rice.
Media contact: Sam Drummond 0400 352 935