The Australian GREENS

MEDIA RELEASE

Peter Campbell, Greens candidate for Kooyong

Wednesday 8 September 2004

GREEN VOTERS DRIVING FOREST PROTECTION OUTCOMES

Peter Campbell welcomes recent comments by Mark Latham, John Howard, Malcolm Turnbull and Senator Bill Heffernan that Tasmania’s old growth forests must be protected.

“This clearly demonstrates that the large and growing number of people voting for Greens policies on protection of old growth and high conservation value forests are driving political change, and that a vote for the Greens is not wasted.”

“While these recent comments are a major step forward, the Greens reserve final judgment until both Labor and Coalition forest policies are announced, as both parties have a history of supporting ongoing destruction of our remaining pristine forests” said Peter Campbell.

“Independent polling has shown that over 80% of Australians want old growth forests protected and an immediate end to clear-felling. It is encouraging that our political leaders are at last acknowledging this fact.

“In May 2004, the Australian Greens released a comprehensive brief on forests, jobs and the wood products industry in Tasmania, which details how we can protect our forests and provide for alternative regional employment in the plantation-based industries and eco-tourism. We only need the political will to implement these solutions said Peter Campbell.

“Environment groups such as The Wilderness Society, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Greenpeace also endorse and support the protection of old growth and high conservation value forests with new National Parks and World Heritage Areas. There is now a loud chorus for major change in forest policy.

“With a close election result predicted, Green votes in marginal seats could determine the outcome. Many Green voters will be looking closely at Labor and Coalition policies on forests, and will be wary of attempts by either party to “greenwash” themselves by offering unsatisfactory compromises.

“In Victoria, we also need to immediately protect our unique old growth forests and stop logging in Melbourne’s water catchments.

"I call on both major parties to provide the protection for our forests that they deserve and the public is demanding, or suffer the consequences at the ballot box” said Peter Campbell

-ENDS-

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For more information, please contact:

Peter Campbell, Greens candidate for Kooyong, Telephone: 0409 417 504

Simon Lansdown, Media Officer, Telephone: 0415 535 564