[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: 'Government Support For Debate on Shooter's Native Vegetation Bill Shows Biodiversity Review A Farce' (Greens MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC)

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
12.11.14
Government Support For Debate on Shooter's Native Vegetation Bill Shows Biodiversity Review A Farce

NSW Greens MP and Environment, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has stated that the Government decision to support debate on an environmentally destructive Shooters and Fishers Bill to gut the Native Vegetation Act shows that the ongoing Biodiversity Review is a farce. That review is meant to hand down a report shortly, including on the Native Vegetation Act. After the Government voted to allow the bill to be debate, they circulated a range of amendments that they stated were consistent with the report, which has not yet been handed down and that were defeated. The entire bill was eventually defeated.

Dr Faruqi said:

"The Government has played a high stakes game, risking the integrity of our environment for political theatre by allowing this dangerous bill to be debated.

"The Government indicated that its amendments were consistent with the review, which has not even handed down its report. Either Duncan Gay has a crystal ball or the review has a pre-determined outcome.

"Government supporting debate on the bill confirms what many in the community have known for a long time - community consultation is just a farce.

"It is absurd that just as hundreds of submissions have been received for the Government's own Biodiversity Legislation Review, with many environmental groups, including the Greens, calling for a strengthening of protections, the Government allowed debate on a bill that would do the opposite.

"Either the left hand of the government doesn't know what the right hand is doing, or it is very clear that community consultation is just for show.

"The Greens vigorously opposed the bill as well as any attempts by the Government to make this terrible bill slightly better. We will continue to stand up to protect our native vegetation" Dr Faruqi concluded.

Previous Media Release: http://www.mehreenfaruqi.org.au/nsw-government-must-oppose-shooters-native-vegetation-bill-or-risk-a-return-to-broadscale-clearing/