[Greens-Media] Public says no to logging old growth forests: close Eden chip mill

[Lee Rhiannon]

Public says no to logging old growth forests: close Eden chip mill 

NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt to take heed of a July Galaxy poll commissioned by the Australian Greens that found 77 percent of Australians support the Rudd government ending logging of native forests.

"Given this latest polling Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt would be wise to get with the public mood and put an end to the logging of NSW's south east native forests," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Ms Tebbutt should use these poll results in Cabinet to argue for an end to logging native forests in the region. 

"The public understands that logging native forests is bad for the natural environment. The south east native forests serve as a significant carbon sink and should not be sold off cheap for woodchips.

"Climate change demands strong action from all levels of government. One positive step is to stop logging these beautiful forests and invest in creating sustainable jobs for the region instead. 

"The woodchipping of native forests is a significant contributor to climate change and the south east forests are some of the most carbon dense in the world. 

"The economic sense to continuing this industry is just not there, with a significant down turn in the market and the government continuing to fork out public money to prop up this sector," Ms Rhiannon said.

The Galaxy Poll: Sample: 1100 Australians, 24-26 July, 2009

Question: The Australian National University has found that Australia's
native forests contain a large amount of carbon that would be protected
by ending forest clearance. In your opinion, do you agree or disagree
that the Rudd government should stop the logging of native forests?
  
Results:
Strongly Agree: 43%
Agree: 35%
Total Agree: 77%
Disagree: 11%
Strongly Disagree: 3%
Total Disagree: 14%
Don't know/refused: 8%

*Rounding applied to totals see poll for exact figures*

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 
Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
http://www.lee.greens.org.au/
http://www.democracy4sale.org/ 
http://twitter.com/leerhiannon

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