Thu, 3rd July 2008
Labor axes southern Queensland forestry
The Hon Warren Truss MP
Leader of the Nationals
Shadow Minister for Infastructure and Transport and Local Government
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss has revealed that Private Forestry Southern Queensland (PFSQ) based in Gympie, is the latest organisation to be chopped down by Kevin Rudd’s environment funding cuts.
“PFSQ was given less than 7 days notice that its funding will not be renewed by the Rudd Labor Government, throwing dozens of employees out of work,” Mr Truss said.
“This is yet another example of Labor’s environmental hypocrisy. Before the election, the Labor Party crowned itself as an environmental champion, but since it has come to office the Labor Government has slashed at least $1 billion environmental programs. Labor has cut funding to catchment management groups by 40% and changed environmental program guidelines making it nearly impossible for many individuals and groups to access Government assistance for local projects and to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is the height of arrogance by the Rudd Labor Government to slash funding to private forest groups with just 7 days notice and it demonstrates how out of touch Labor has become in just 7 months of Government.
“PFSQ is one of 19 Regional Australian Forestry Committees that were established ten years ago with assistance from the Federal and State Governments under the Natural Heritage Trust. The Rudd Labor Government has now withdrawn its vital support which will force them to close.”
The Committees assisted farmers by providing training, workshops and undertaking demonstration sites to encourage sustainable native forest management on private land. In South East Queensland there is now more than 1.2 million hectares under private native forest.
“The work for PFSQ has grown substantially as a consequence of the State Government’s native vegetation clearing laws,” Mr Truss said.
“Farmers need greater support and access to information as to how they can utilise their land in more sustainable ways. PFSQ provided a vital link that will now be lost unless it can source funds elsewhere.
“The Labor Government’s chaotic pursuit of misguided priorities is hurting our environment and our economy, as this latest example clearly indicates.
“If Labor were serious about protecting the environment and native vegetation, it would immediately restore funding to Private Forest Development Committees so they could continue to ensure that private forests are encouraged and properly managed.”