[Greens-Media] Government attack on Wilderness Society threatens democracy

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Government attack on Wilderness Society threatens democracy

The reported proposal by Environment Minister Ian Campbell to strip the
Wilderness Society of the tax-deductable status threatens every
non-government organisation in Australia, Greens Leader Bob Brown said
today.

"What starts with the Wilderness Society will end with the Red Cross.
The Howard government has defunded youth and Aboriginal organisations.
Now, with control of the Senate, he is moving to rob environment groups.
The move was slated by Eric Abetz, Minister for Forests, last year,"
Senator Brown said.

"The loggers want to take the chainsaw to the tree-defenders. Senator
Campbell, having stumbled over the orange-bellied parrot, now wants to
kick the Wilderness Society," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 604


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au