Why John Thwaites supports logging in our water catchments

John Thwaites and the Bracks government condones environmental vandalism by allowing logging to continue in Melbourne's water catchments in spite of clear scientific evidence that the logging is decreasing both the quality and the quantity of the water we drink.

It is hypocritical for them to encourage the community to their bit to save water - as many are - and allow this logging to continue.

So why does John Thwaites allow it? There are very few jobs involved, and those directly employed in the clearfelling and burning process can be readily employed in the burgeoning plantation industry. The habitat of Leadbeaters Possum - Victoria's endangered faunal emblem - is also being destroyed.

The reasons for John Thwaites' support for this environmental disaster is that the powerful CFMEU support the logging, and they provide critical factional support for the Premier Steve Bracks. So internal ALP factional politics are the real reason this logging continues. Shame John Thwaites, shame.

This issue is more important than petty politics - and growing numbers of voters are coming to realise how important are forest catchments and their biodiversity are - particularly in these times of drought.

Water, energy and transport are big issues for Box Hill

Media Release
For immediate use
Wednesday October 11, 2006
Contact: Peter Campbell on (mob) 0409 417 504

Peter Campbell, Greens candidate for Box Hill, stated today that water, energy and transport are big issues facing the Box Hill residents in the lead up to November's State election.

"Australia is a dry country, Melbourne's water reservoirs are now below 50% capacity, and another drought is upon us. Our Surrey Hills house has large water tanks so we are almost self-sufficient for water. Using rainwater is a simple thing everyone can do to save our precious water supply" Mr Campbell said.

"On the supply side, research has shown that logging Melbourne's water catchments is decreasing both the quality and quantity of water they yield. We need to stop this logging" said Mr Campbell. "I call on both Steve Bracks and Ted Baillieu to stop logging our water catchments immediately".

"Energy usage is also a growing issue for Box Hill residents" said Peter Campbell. "Everyone realises now the climate change is a huge concern."

"We produce about 70% of the electricity we need using 20 solar panels on our roof, which are also connected to the grid. Our house still has power when there is a blackout, and we have reduced our own greenhouse gas emissions significantly by using the panels" said Peter Campbell. "We need Government policies and investment to support renewable energy
sources rather than just wasting money trying to make coal clean".

"On transport, cars consume a lot of fuel when used for commuting, which contributes to climate change as well as causing congestion" Peter Campbell said. "I ride my bicycle to work in Melbourne, or I catch the train. We need dedicated and safe bicycle paths – along the Box Hill railway line to the Yarra for example – and we need a better-integrated and more frequent public transport too."

For more information and comment please contact:

Peter Campbell on (mob) 0409 417 504
or
Dave Lane on (mob) 0419 156 213

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Logging of our water catchments and old growth forests must stop

With both the Bracks government and Baillieu opposition committing to ongoing destruction of both our water catchments and old growth forests, it is clear this will be a big issue in the election.

The choice is clear - the Greens will protect them, both major parties will destroy them. The 4 Corners program on Monday 2 October 2003 highlighted the dirty and illegal tricks that Amcor has resorted to further the ongoing destruction of our forests - and the corruption of our political system.

Greens forest spokesperson Marcus Ward's media release below sums the issue up well:

Media Release: for immediate use
Monday October 2, 2006
Contact: Marcus Ward on 0427 235 254

Timber industry dirty tricks politics; the last gasp of an industry at a dead end?

The Four Corners exposé of Amcor’s manipulation of politics in the 1990s is a serious reflection on our democratic process and the lack of transparency in old party politics. It also raises the question - are the dirty tricks still being played out today?

"Corporate timber union lobbying exposed by the ABC's Four Corners program is something we should all always challenge,” said Marcus Ward, the Greens Forests spokesperson. “Our governments should make decisions based on facts and what’s best for the community, not what’s best for corporate profits.”

“The antics of the timber lobby's 'A Team' demonstrates how companies can infiltrate political parties and conservation groups to influence government," said Marcus Ward. “We have to ask what's happening today - what pressure is still on the Bracks Government and what tactics are still being used to disrupt the environment debate?"

“Timber companies have taken the conservationist campaigns very seriously," said Marcus Ward. "We have successfully challenged the chip and burn merchants who would leave us with no future if allowed to achieve their short term gain."

"With plantation-based woodchips now fetching higher prices than native forest-sourced woodchips*, the writing is well and truly on the wall for timber and timber products companies that rely on native forests," said Marcus Ward. "Despite the dirty tricks by the industry over the years, protecting our public assets for fresh air, fresh water and biodiversity values has become a top voter priority in Victoria."

“The Greens in parliament after November 25 will continue to fight to protect our forests, water catchments and the democratic process," said Marcus Ward.

For more information and comment please contact:
Marcus Ward on 0427 235 254
or
Dave Lane on (mob) 0419 156 213

Background:
Business Age, October 2, 2006
The chips are down for old-growth forest sector