The Greens have condemned Forestry Tasmania’s move to expand its environmental vandalism to a further 1000 hectares of native forest for logging, including in the precious takayna/Tarkine.
The Greens have called on the Albanese Government to put an end to this needless destruction and ban all native forest logging nationwide.
Greens spokesperson for Forests, Senator Janet Rice said:
“We are in the midst of a global extinction and climate crisis; there’s no excuse for this assault on the environment to be allowed anywhere in Australia.
“While community activists had a big win today in securing important protections for parts of Tasmania, only a total ban on native forest logging will protect our precious forests and save our wildlife.
“It’s clear from Tasmania’s announcement today that the Albanese Government can’t keep burying their heads in the sand. The Federal Government must finally listen to state Labor governments, scientists, and the vast majority of Australians who want our environment protected for future generations.
“Logging makes the climate crisis worse. The Labor Government need to stop prioritising corporate profits and industry lobbies over people and the environment.
“We need a permanent, national ban on native forest logging, and a just transition plan for forestry workers.”
Greens Senator for Tasmania, Senator Nick McKim said:
“This is a fantastic result for a very special part of Tasmania that should never have been on the chopping block in the first place.
“However Forestry Tasmania’s destructive focus has now shifted to other forests equally as deserving of protection.
“Community campaigners should be proud of their efforts in saving this magnificent ecosystem.
“Logging native forests is a crime against nature and climate, and Tasmania needs to follow Victoria’s lead and end this toxic, loss-making industry.”
Greens spokesperson for the Environment, Senator Hanson-Young said:
“The Federal Government has promised to introduce new environment laws by the end of year. The test for Labor is whether they actually stop logging in order to protect our native forests and the wildlife that call them home.
“Expanding destruction of native forests goes directly against what is needed to protect our wildlife from extinction. This is why the Greens will move to make a ban on native forest logging national and permanent in our Federal environment laws.