[Greens-Media] Landcare cuts another broken promise – Greens

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

14 May 2014

Landcare cuts another broken promise – Greens

The Australian Greens said today the Government has broken another promise in cutting funding to Landcare, and have expressed deep concern about the impact of the cuts on NRM efforts.

“In merging Caring for our Country and Landcare to create a single National Landcare Programme, the Government has ripped $483.8 million over five years out of the system. This is a slap in the face for Landcare,” Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on agriculture said today.

“This cut will impact volunteer and community organisations around the country and puts the future of projects in serious doubt. In the 25th anniversary year of Landcare people must be asking what is the future looking like.

“Much of this money was earmarked for future funding rounds, but it will now be redirected to the government’s confected budget emergency. 
“This short-term thinking from the government will have long term impacts, as our environmental and agricultural assets are increasing affected by climate change and other threats.

“Natural resource management work is essential for landscape repair and sustainable agriculture. It is a crucial part of preparing for climate change and protecting biodiversity.

“The Government’s allocation of money to strengthen biosecurity and quarantine needs to be measured against the cuts they have already made in these areas.

“It is very concerning to see money taken out of the Exotic Diseases Preparedness Programme, adding to the risks farmers are already potentially facing through the Government’s TPPA negotiations,” Senator Siewert concluded.