The Greens have criticised a decision from Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to approve the clearing of endangered native forest at Manyana on the NSW South Coast.
The endangered forest slated for clearing is one of the last remaining unburnt parcels of land on the NSW South Coast, which was decimated by the 2019/2020 bushfires. The Greens are urging an end to native forest logging.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:
“The Albanese Government should be protecting critical habitat and native forests, not approving their destruction.
“The endangered forest at Manyana is some of the last remaining in the region after the Black Summer bushfires decimated the NSW South Coast – it must be protected, not destroyed.
“This decision is a slap in the face for a community who have already suffered enough and have campaigned for four years to protect what’s left at Manyana.
“It is alarming that the Environment Minister, whose job is to protect the environment, can approve the destruction of one of the last remaining critical refuges for wildlife in the region like the Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Greater Glider and Swift Parrot.
“This decision has once again highlighted that our environmental laws aren’t up to the job of protecting our native wildlife.
“Instead of continuing to greenlight destruction, the Albanese Government should be working constructively in the Parliament to ensure new environment laws stop the destruction of critical habitat.”