CHRIS OWENS, Lysterfield, The Age (Your Say), 21/9/98

Is it just me does the environment no longer rate a mention at election time? All we hear in the campaign so far is about the GST as a remedy to all of our ills. It will be interesting in the coming weeks to see if the Howard Government rests on its laurels, an its performance in protection of the enviroment.

Whether it is arguing for higher greenhouse emissions in Kyoto authorising new uranium mines in Kakadu, or abandoning forest biodiversity by excluding the huge areas subject to regional forest agreements from the new Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Bill 1998, can the environment survive another Howard term?

Experts already predict wholesale extinctions of a wide range of plants and animals in the next 20 years unless urgent remedial action is taken. With the current attitude of our political leaders, does anyone believe that common sense will prevail? It is often said that you get the government you deserve. If the only consideration in this election is financial, then I believe we will certainly get what we deserve.