War on Wildlife
These are animals, birds, insects, fish and all manner of other life, many of which live nowhere else on earth. They are glorious and special.
These are animals, birds, insects, fish and all manner of other life, many of which live nowhere else on earth. They are glorious and special.
Deputy Speaker, it has been a horrific week in terms of the news of what is happening to Tasmania's wildlife.
Honourable Speaker, I move: That the House takes note of the following Matter: war on wildlife.
That reminds me of a story that Walker Corporation still owes the State of Tasmania nearly three quarters of a million dollars for the Ralphs Bay POSS assessment.
Minister, on the State of the Environment report, obviously it was well over a decade late and your government missed two statutory reporting cycles before getting this one going and tabled. The Planning Commission asked for an extra two months to finish the State of the Environment report from June to the end of August. What was the reason for the delay and does it point to the fact that the Planning Commission needs additional funding for staff to continue its role reporting on the State of the Environment report functions and requirements into the future?
Your government's been in power for 10 years. Coincidentally, the State of the Environment report that was overdue by 10 years has just revealed to Tasmanians the terrible state of our environment.
In a terrible performance in Parliament today, Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to accept any responsibility for the environmental degradation highlighted in the State of the Environment Report. Alarmingly, he also refused to commit to better protections for the environment – despite the strong calls made by this comprehensive study.
As you know, your government was dragged kicking and screaming to produce a State of the Environment report, breaking two statutory deadlines in the process.
Deputy Speaker, as has been said by my fellow Greens, this is a welcome report. It is a long overdue report but there are clear recommendations for a government who would care for the environment.
Deputy Speaker, we have waited a long time for this State of the Environment report, too long, a decade longer than we should have. Throughout that time, we know that the Tasmanian environment has been deteriorating.