2020-02-29
The plight of our forests in a changing climate, promoting adequate support and funding for regional communities, and visiting many of those
By Hon. Diane Evers, MLC, Member for South West
This Australian bushfire season has caused so much suffering. My deepest appreciation goes out to all those people fighting the fires of Australia, as well as my profound regret for those who have lost loved ones or property. While the east coast has seen the worst impacts, Western Australians understand such devastation given our prior experience, which includes a massive series of fires in the Great Southern’s Stirling Ranges as recently as January. The catastrophic effects of climate change are a human emergency that demands action.
I spoke to the media in February of the need for facilitated deliberative discussions with a range of experts and stakeholders to determine the opportunities for best achieving the outcomes in fire mitigation in Western Australia. We need to make our landscape more resilient and there are measures available that do not simply mean firebombing, prescribed burns and drying out the landscape so nothing grows. It does not mean killing all the trees so they will not burn again. Through a deliberative process, government must implement the necessary measures to achieve our goals and, together, we must achieve them. There is no other acceptable future.
More must be done to protect our precious native forests. We need more trees in good health to draw down our carbon emissions. Without forests, we have no rain, no soil and no food. There must be actions based on science and research with a long-term goal of more forests, healthier forests, and forests where fires might be less intense, contained or controlled to minimise risk. Anybody who suggests this summer was a one-off event is living in a fool’s paradise. We need to do better and we need action on climate now.
With each state budget handed down, it is cold fact that the Forest Products Commission is an unviable financial proposition and environmental vandal. I will continue my ongoing efforts to see the Forest Products Act repealed in this term. I am challenging a McGowan Government that prioritises a steady ship one year from an election instead of acting in the best interests of Western Australia. There is no mandate to continue logging native forests in Western Australia ‒ only fear within this Government to address the issue of job transition and progressive change.
Mention must go to an invaluable community who maintain these environmental issues on the public agenda. This work at a legislative level cannot happen without passionate grassroots activism, which is why I was so glad to join the Helms Defence protest with some of the incredible people from WA Forest Alliance in early February.
I loved the recent comments from new Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt of plans to go rural and regional and connect with farmers. Before the resumption of Parliament in February I compiled my thoughts and understanding of regenerative agriculture, and I hope this resource ‒ shared as part of this edition of Green Issue ‒ will assist those who may take the time to seek and understand more about this common sense, sustainable approach to managing the soils we use for growing our food. Western Australia’s rural communities are essential to our food security, economy and cultural identity. It is so important to support farmers engaging in the best sustainable outcomes that benefit them ‒ and us ‒ in the long term.
Late last year, I introduced a bill to provide 10 per cent of royalties for regions funding ‒ up to $100 million ‒ and commit it to the environment, because when we put money into the environment, communities on the ground do the work. I continued this campaign in February by tabling a petition in support of this change. Local landcare groups in regional communities deserve certainty and stability in support of the incredible work they do, filling the gaps where government does not act. These groups make a small amount of funding go a long way, but they must be given funding security.
I expect more from the Government to support regional residents to achieve equity of services, equity in transport and equity in economic opportunities. This can be done if we listen to the people in the regions to find out what they need. If we support regional residents to do such important work, it will benefit the economy of regional communities, resulting in a better place and a much stronger, safer environment. Money provided for the environment is money for regional people.
An exciting thing to happen during the first sitting weeks of the year was Extinction Rebellion WA’s (XR) solidarity vigil opposite Parliament House. I support peaceful protest and XR continue to maintain their message to Government, asking to be seen, to be heard and to be listened to – and then for action. These people are giving a lot of their time to raise awareness and to make people realise something has to be done about our planet very quickly.
I maintained a busy schedule throughout the first six weeks of 2020, visiting Albany, Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton, Denmark, Manjimup, Margaret River, and more throughout the period. January highlights included visiting the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Peace Boat and attending One Day in Fremantle. In February I had the opportunity to continue advocating for the regions by attending the monthly Koolbardies Talking, a meeting place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women, in Mandurah, joining the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors' annual general meeting, the Denmark Fire Forum and chairing the Industrial Hemp for Human Health presentations at the Australian Industrial Hemp Conference.
In some great news, I congratulate the Torbay Catchment Group, who were formally presented with funding on allowing them to expand their work across 12 coastal City of Albany Reserves, including around 2,500ha to protect the Western Ringtail Possum. This work is especially important given the Western Ringtail Possum's critically endangered status and ongoing discoveries of populations in habitat throughout the southern coast, including on the Nullaki peninsula. I was very pleased to be in the South West Region while Parliament was in recess and to see this funding happen in person as part of these constant travels throughout the South West, something I truly enjoy about my role.
Finally, it was a privilege to be nominated along with so many wonderful others in Western Australia for the Women in Environmental Action Awards. I welcome any opportunity to give recognition to the great work being done by those state-wide who care about our environment, so many of whom I have worked with as a Member of Parliament. I look forward to learning of the deserving winners in each category.
With so much to achieve in 2020 ‒ including repealing the Forest Products Act, seeking royalties for regions funding for regional landcare groups, championing sustainable agriculture and pursuing equitable water management practices in the face of climate challenges ‒ I grow restless and eager to build into my fourth year as MLC for the South West Region. I look forward to making this happen with ongoing events, community activities and Green representation in Parliament for the South West Region’s needs.
P.S. How good are trains? They're so good we made some stickers so we can tell the world. Feel free to get in touch with my office via southwest.evers@mp.wa.gov.au or like my Facebook page to tell me why you love trains we'll send you a sticker!
Header photo: Diane joins the Torbay Catchment Group as they are presented with WA Government funding.