This week the federal government launched yet another attack on the environment through the budget – including the complete removal of Queensland Conservation’s federal government funding.
This mean spirited budget has singled out small community and environment organisations.
Almost $5 million in grants to community organisations will end from July 2014, including $1.3 million to over 150 environment organisation across Australia through the Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations.
Queensland Conservation is one of the environment organisations around Australia that will be affected by these funding cuts …. with the loss of $70,000 towards our vital work.
“The loss of these vital funds to our organisation will have a devastating affect on our ability to work on the protection of Queenslands environment” said Toby Hutcheon, Executive Director of Queensland Conservation.
“We are asking not only our committed supporters but every Queenslander who cares about the environment and is concerned about the raft of funding cuts and the changes to policy and legislation that is being introduced by the State and Federal Governments, to support QCC with a donation to help ensure our financial future.
The funding cut comes at a time when the Federal Government has just removed support for clean energy, is likely to approve a new mega mine in Queensland, supports the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef and is winding back a range of hard won environmental laws.
Cutting Queensland Conservation funding will make little difference to the budget bottom line, but does harm our ability to fight for the environment.
“The State and Federal Governments have made it clear that the environment is not a priority for them. As Premier Newman said “we are in the coal business” – a statement which is supported by their actions and those of the Federal Government.”
As you would know, budget cuts are not the only problem facing the environment. The federal government is currently holding an Inquiry into streamlining environmental regulation, ‘green tape’, and one-stop-shops, which looks set to completely change the way environmental regulation works across Australia. Ultimately it risks creating a confusing array of rules and lower environmental standards, where the main winners will be mining and property development lobby groups.
There has never been a more important period in the history of Queensland for every environment organisation or community group to rally the people of Queensland into taking action to ensure that our voices are heard and that governments are held accountable for their actions both now and in the future.
PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO DONATE ONLINE. YOUR DONATION WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE QUEENSLAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE QUEENSLAND”S VOICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
http://qldconservation.org.au/donate-now/
One thought on “Savage cuts to green groups”
terry fitzpatrick
21 May, 2014
As Governments become more aligned and dependent on Big Corporations and Mining companies they will be more compromised. Their commitment to the environment will be that of the mining companies or Banks that got them into power. The days of relying on Government funds to protect the environment are numbered.