[Greens-Media] Media Release: Liberals backflip on Wild Rivers

[Qld Greens Media]

*Media Release*

*Liberals backflip on Wild Rivers*

The Greens today critised Liberal leader Bruce Flegg for his backflip on 
protecting Wild Rivers, Queensland’s remaining free-flowing, pristine 
rivers.
“When the landmark Wild Rivers Act 2005 was debated in Parliament, on 28 
September 2005, the Liberals and Bruce Flegg spoke in favour of it.
“Now Dr Flegg has backflipped on protecting Queensland’s wild rivers and 
adopted a coalition policy to scrap this important legislation” said 
environmental lawyer and Queensland Greens Brisbane Central candidate 
Larissa Waters.
“The Wild Rivers legislation was a first for Australia. It protects 
Queensland’s remaining free-flowing rivers from dams, mining and 
inappropriate development which might degrade the special values of the 
river. But activities like fishing, indigenous traditional uses and most 
farming are not affected.
“The Nationals seems to be misunderstanding the impact of the Wild 
Rivers Act, which will mostly not impact farming activities. The 
Liberals have now signed on to this scare campaign rather than studying 
what the Act really does.
“Once again we have the old parties ducking the detail and just playing 
on people’s fears and misunderstanding.”
“It is a great shame that people who are thinking about voting National 
or Liberal would be voting to let our pristine rivers be polluted, mined 
and dammed. I don’t think any voter would like to support that.”
The Greens would ensure that Queensland’s pristine rivers and nominated 
and declared to be protected ‘wild rivers’ and would also ensure a $2 
million protection and management fund for each declared wild river.

For further information contact:

*Larissa Waters, Candidate for Brisbane Central - 0421 844 280, *

*email: *_brisbane-central at qld.greens.org.au 
<mailto:brisbane-central at qld.greens.org.au>_

-- 
www.qld.greens.org.au

State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110

Queensland Greens media spokespeople.

Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719

Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
Ian Gittus 0422 542 370

Office 3846 0862
fax 3844 4654

www.qld.greens.org.au