[Greens-Media] $6 Million for conservation handed back to Treasury

[Twomey, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

> $6 Million for conservation handed back to Treasury
> 
> The Australian Greens were shocked to learn in Senate Estimates today
> that $6 Million set aside for protecting biodiversity hotspots has not
> been spent and will be handed back to Treasury.
> 
> "This money was meant to be used to buy high conservation-value
> properties in Australia's biodiversity 'hotspots' - areas where there
> is a great concentration of unique wildlife," said Senator Rachel
> Siewert today.
> 
> "I cannot believe that the government couldn't spend this money - when
> there are so many opportunities to buy back some stunning private and
> leasehold land."
> 
> "It is clear to me that the problem isn't a lack of suitable
> properties to invest in. I believe that the Department simply didn't
> look hard enough," she said. 
> 
> The program aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity hotspots
> on private and leasehold land through conservation management and
> protection of existing ecosystems for native plants and animals. The
> intended outcome is to protect natural ecosystems with a largely
> intact diversity of native and endemic species.
> 
> "The Australian public deserve to know the former Government's reasons
> for failing to spend this money, when they were so clearly directed to
> do so," she concluded.
> 
For more information or comment call:

Chris Twomey 0407 725 025 or (02) 6277 3587