Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT, Ms OGILVIE
You are directly responsible for species listed under the Threatened Species Protection Act. One of those is the critically endangered swift parrot. We know from Right to Information documents that your department considered applying for the Lonnavale region in the Huon Valley to be designated a swift parrot important breeding habitat. However, it was noted that this would significantly impact Forestry Tasmania’s revenue. On your watch, choices are actively being made about the impact on a mendicant GBE over the future of a beautiful bird on the brink of extinction. Today, real threatened species defenders, the Wilderness Society, are taking your government to court for your approval of logging in recognised important swift parrot habitat. We all know Forestry Tasmania can’t make a profit to save its life. Yet, as the Minister for Environment, you’re prioritising life support for an archaic industry over the survival of a critically endangered species. How on earth can you justify that?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. I noticed that you have asked me, as Minister for Environment, a question that ranges across a number of portfolios. You would be aware that I am not the minister responsible for the forestry sector. I will endeavour to give you as much information as I can from the Environment portfolio, but you may also wish to ask questions of other relevant ministers. If there’s any particular ‑ it was such a long question, more like a speech – but if there is any particular area that you feel I have not covered in the question, I am very happy to take on notice and get you more information.
We were very pleased to release the threatened species ‘what we heard’ public consultation report last Sunday, 9 November, marking World Threatened Species Day ‑ sorry, that was longer ago than last Sunday.
A brilliant scientist, who I know we all love, and our biological experts in our world‑class institutions such as IMAS and UTAS, as well as land managers, local government, community organisations and individual Tasmanians had input into this question. Working together, as you know, is the key to success and the insights gathered in this document help guide the next chapter in our conservation journey, one that is bold, evidence‑based, inclusive and truly innovative. We are leaning into the opportunity for Tasmanian innovation, scientific research and development. We are attracting new funding, we are investing more and we’re working collaboratively to build momentum across all sectors. Now, as we look ahead, the long-awaited threatened species strategy is just around the corner and, with it, a renewed focus on modernising our legislation and technological tools.
These are indeed exciting times for Tasmania’s environmental management and I am really pleased to be the Minister for Environment at this time. Under our state’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, the Secretary has a mandate to prepare a strategy for the conservation of threatened native flora and fauna, specifying how the objectives of the act are to be achieved. This existing document was developed some 25 years ago. Recognising challenges and opportunities, as you alluded to in your question, the Tasmanian government has provided funding of $300,000 in the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 financial years to develop a revised and contemporary threatened species strategy for Tasmania. A draft strategy will be released for formal public consultation.
This government has also committed, and this is important, $8 million over four years in 2024‑25 and 2027‑28 to establish a Threatened Species Fund to deliver conservation outcomes for threatened species in Tasmania.
I think that covers the Minister for Environment’s perspective on the question that you have asked.
The SPEAKER – The honourable minister’s time has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker.
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Just to raise the point for the minister: it’s a pity you didn’t know that Threatened Species Day was on 7 September, not 7 November.
The SPEAKER – That’s a comment. Sorry, is there a question?
Dr WOODRUFF – Your department ‑
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order.
Dr WOODRUFF – Your department, minister, decided not to protect a threatened species’ important breeding habitat and put the interests of Forestry Tasmania first. In the Swift Parrot Recovery plan you said this is an action you need to be taking now. Will you protect ‑
The SPEAKER – The member’s time has expired. Dr Woodruff, if you go over 30 seconds, the minister is not required to respond to any commentary you make after the 30 seconds. Does the minister have any ‑ no?
Dr WOODRUFF – Point taken, very much, but the minister did get up in the middle of the supplementary question ‑
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order. Order. The member is on her feet. I cannot hear what she is saying.
Dr WOODRUFF – The minister did get up in the middle of my supplementary question and waste some of my time.
The SPEAKER – Does the minister have anything further to add to her question, please?
Ms Ogilvie – No, but I’d be very happy to help with anything.
The SPEAKER – You can’t do it from your chair, you need to rise.
Dr Woodruff – How shameful. Why are you in that role?
Ms Ogilvie – I’m offended by that and I’d like that comment withdrawn.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order. This is not a time for debate or commentary across the parliament. Minister, if you have something to add, can you please come to the lectern and just make the comment, please?
