2020-04-13
The Victorian Greens have called on the Andrews Government to immediately stop all native forest logging in Victoria, as new costings show it would be beneficial to both the environment and the economy.
An independent costing obtained by the Greens found that by putting an end to native forest logging now, the Government would save $191.9 million dollars by 2030.
This saving includes fast-tracking the $120 million industry transition package to ensure loggers and industry are well looked after now, rather than in five years.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for the environment, Ellen Sandell, said the money saved by ending native forest logging could instead be used to help regional economies in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week the Andrews Government signed a ten-year extension to our damaging logging laws with the Prime Minister under the cover of the COVID-19 crisis.
These Regional Forest Agreements give the logging industry an exemption from environment laws and will continue the regime of sending our native animals extinct.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment, Ellen Sandell MP:
"Ending native forest logging now, rather than in ten years, will help both the environment and the economy. The summer bushfires pushed many animals and plants to the brink of extinction and it's criminal that the Andrews Labor Government has signed a ten-year extension to logging in Victoria.
"This independent costing shows the huge cost to the public of destructive logging. If we end logging now, and don't wait, we would save $191.9 million dollars over the next ten years."