Demise of wilderness Carr's latest back flip

[Paul Sheridan]

---------------------
Another message from the GREENS-MEDIA maillist.
You are subscribed as: chris at sw.oz.au
Manage your subscription on the list home page at:
http://www.altnews.com.au/greens/
---------------------

Media Release						13 May, 2004	
	

Demise of wilderness Carr's latest back flip

The Carr Government will water down laws protecting wilderness areas to allow commercial film production companies access, despite promises by the Premier that he would not permit this to happen, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

"The Premier and Environment Minister Bob Debus have publicly stated that commercial filming in wilderness areas will be banned by the new Filming Approval Bill. This is a lie. 

"The Bill states: 'Clause 4 enables the relevant Minister for a designated area to grant approval to carry out filming and related activities in the area even if the filming activities are for commercial purposes. 

"Environment Minister Bob Debus has said the new Filming Approval Bill 2004 would continue to protect wilderness areas by only allowing filming for educational, tourism and scientific purposes.

"If this statement was true, not only would it have confirmed that the Stealth film shoot in the Grose Wilderness Area was illegally approved but it would also have confirmed there was no need for this new legislation as those conditions already exist in the current Wilderness Act.

"However, the Environment Minister has also sneaked in a clause that allows him to override any restrictions on filming in wilderness areas."

The new legislation states: "Part 2, 4(9) - Filming Approvals - Nothing in any other Act, a statutory rule or another law (or in any instrument made under another Act) prevents an application for a filming approval from being made, considered or granted.

"The Environment Minister has stated that filming would be subject to strict environmental controls and that wilderness areas would not be compromised. But he has lied. The Minister can bypass any restrictions at any time.

"The Carr Government is trying to create an illusion to satisfy its Hollywood fantasy. But, the fact is that there are four million hectares of national parks outside of wilderness areas in NSW where commercial filming is already allowed under the National Parks and Wildlife Act."


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656




-------------------------
Support your List Server:
DOMAIN NAMES: http://altnews.com.au/register/
HOSTING: http://altnews.com.au/sales/
PHONE: low cost calls at http://us.altnews.com.au/1cell/
-------------------------
Hosted by Alternative News Network, Cairns, tropical north Queensland, Australia
-------------------------