Labor and Liberal block Senate inquiry into toxic plantations

25 February 2010

Labor & Liberal block Senate inquiry into toxic
plantations

The blocking of a Senate inquiry into potential toxic
leaching from eucalypt plantations into Tasmania’s George River by both
Labor and Liberal today was an abrogation of responsibility, according
to the Greens.

Greens Senators Bob Brown and Christine Milne moved for
the inquiry following reports that plantations of Eucalyptus nitens were
contaminating water supplies near St. Helens in North East Tasmania,
with impacts on human and animal populations.

“This is an abrogation of responsibility by the Labor
and Liberal parties,” said Senator Brown.

“Why should a community have had to fight so hard to
have an investigation of toxicity in their water supply?” said Senator
Christine Milne.

“There is a far too close relationship between the
Tasmanian government, Forestry Tasmania and the private forest industry.

“The EPA conducted an Inquiry in 2005 and found toxicity
but did not take the matter further.

“Their failure to act then and their lack of
independence gives me no confidence that they will conduct a full and
proper investigation now.

“What the community wants is an independent inquiry, not
one under the auspices of people who have failed the community in the
past and who have demonstrated a complete lack of concern about the
impacts of forestry, chemical use in the forest industry and the
breeding programs by forestry.

“By blocking this inquiry both the Labor and Liberal
party have let down Tasmanians concerned about public health, wildlife
and the reputation of Tasmania as a clean green source of products.”

Media contact: Erin Farley 0438 376 082
www.greensmps.org.au <http://www.greensmps.org.au/>

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