The NSW government should heed the strong message sent to all Australian political parties at the Federal election that they ignore the environment at their peril, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
Voters have shown political parties can ill afford to neglect sound environmental policy.
“In an election campaign notable for a lack of clear commitments on key environmental issues, the substantial swing to the Greens demonstrates an enduring desire for strong action to fight climate change and protect our forests and oceans,” Nature Conservation Council of NSW Chief Executive Officer, Pepe Clarke, said.
“With the Greens predicted to hold up to nine Senate seats and one seat in the House of Representatives, it’s notable that, yet again, vocal anti-environment groups like the Shooters Party have failed to secure a single seat, with less than 1.7 per cent of the vote.
“The community has shown it wants leaders who can stand up to vested interests and deliver the change needed for a more sustainable future.
“In recent times the Keneally government has turned its back on the environment by supporting a five-year moratorium on marine parks, two new coal fired power stations and the deeply unpopular Tillegra Dam. It has failed to address the ongoing loss of biodiversity or systemic breaches of logging laws destroying our natural heritage.
“Both major parties would do well to remember this lesson in the lead up to the NSW election in March 2010,” he said.
