[Greens-Media] World Environment Day: Greens call on Barry O'Farrell to end anti-environment deals with Upper House cowboys

[Peter Stahel]

World Environment Day: Greens call on Barry O'Farrell to end anti-environment deals with Upper House cowboys

Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann will today use World Environment Day to call on the Premier Barry O'Farrell to stop using national parks, marine parks and biodiversity as bargaining chips for his deals with the extreme anti-environment Shooters Party in the NSW Upper House.

"When the people of NSW voted for Barry O'Farrell, they didn't expect a government in coalition with the extreme Shooters Party. But that's exactly what they got," said Ms Faehrmann.

"The biggest loser out of this alliance is the environment. Already we've seen deals between this government and the Shooters to open our national parks to recreational hunters, and a winding back of marine protections that were helping to protect marine life and guarantee the future of fishing.

"When I talk to people in the community about these deals, most are shocked. They can't believe that our Premier would allow hunting in national parks for the sake of a political deal. Now that he's under pressure to allow logging too - people are beyond belief.

"So many will be asking, we've still got two years left of this government. What will be next on the environment? The Premier has an excellent opportunity this World Environment Day to come out loud and clear and say he won't trade away any more of our precious few protected places.

"It's not rocket science to understand that we need to protect some natural areas for future generations and biodiversity, but the Premier is allowing the Shooters Party cowboys to go on a rampage through our national parks.  They have a plan for NSW that is all about guns and the unbridled pillaging of our natural resources. 

"It's time Barry O'Farrell stood up to these anti-environment cowboys and said 'no more deals'. I'm asking the community to join me in telling Barry enough is enough. No Deals Barry!" said Ms Faehrmann. 

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727