[Greens-Media] Media Release - Victoria too slow to save Leadbeater’s possum: Greens

[Blyberg, Andrew (Sen R. Di Natale)]

Media Release

Dr Richard Di Natale
Greens Senator for Victoria

17/05/2013

Victoria too slow to save Leadbeater’s possum: Greens

Australian Greens Senator for Victoria, Dr Richard Di Natale, today said that the Victorian Government was allowing the state’s faunal emblem, the Leadbeater’s Possum, to become extinct on its watch.

“The Victorian Government’s failure to adequately protect its own state’s faunal emblem from extinction shows that you just cannot trust the states with the environment,” said Senator Di Natale.

“VicForests failed to adjust the extent of its logging in the habitat of the Leadbeater’s possum, Victoria’s central highlands, despite the fact that the area was savaged by the bushfires on Black Saturday.

“VicForests, which continues to operate at a loss, has finally announced that it will reduce logging in the area by 25 per cent, but not until 2017. The Leadbeater’s possum is on the brink of extinction right now, and this change is far too little, far too late.

“Changes were needed years ago, but instead they have been delayed for years into the future. This Victorian Government and its predecessor have shown that they will never prioritise the health of Australia’s environment and biodiversity.

“Instead of stepping in to protect our forests and the Leadbeater’s possum, Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard are both intent on handing even more federal environment powers to state governments. The Greens are the only party you can trust to stand up for the environment.” 

Media Contact:         Andrew Blyberg 0457 901 600