[Greens-Media] Media release: Shooting death of environmental officer a tragedy

[David Shoebridge]

Dr Mehreen Faruqi

David Shoebridge



Media Release
30 July 2014



The shooting death of a State Government environment protection officer is a tragedy and a clear warning of the need to ensure public sector workers are respected and fully protected in their work.

Greens MP and Industrial Relations spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

"This is a terrible tragedy and shows the need for greater efforts to protect public sector workers, particularly when they are working alone to enforce the law.

"This is a time for everyone across society to stand behind all public sector workers who we expect to enforce our laws and to protect the public interest and the environment.

"Many essential occupations such as parking rangers or EPA enforcement officers can be unpopular at times, but these workers are acting in the public interest and doing what the law requires of them and they deserve our respect and support.

"Today our thoughts go out to the officer's family who have suffered such a terrible and inexcusable loss," Mr Shoebridge said.

Greens MP and Environment Spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi said:

"My condolences go out to the man's family. This tragic incident underlines the very real risks that environment workers can face when enforcing the law.

"My understanding is that that there are long running legal cases around illegal land clearing in the Croppa Creek area. There must be safety protocols for environment workers who have to deal with potentially volatile situations and strong safeguards to prevent such an incident from ever happening again," Dr Faruqi said.



Media contact:

David Shoebridge      9230 3030

Mehreen Faruqi         0423 106 247