Wilderness Society welcomes the greening of the Queensland parliament

The Wilderness Society (QLD) Inc
Media Release
5 October 2008

The Wilderness Society (TWS) today welcomed Queensland’s first Green Parliamentarian following the shock decision by the sitting Labor member for Indooroopilly, Ronan Lee, to join the Greens.   TWS commented that this event highlighted the continued growth in importance of environmental issues in Queensland politics.  

Dr Tim Seelig, State Campaign Manager for The Wilderness Society in Queensland, said, “Since his surprise election in 2001, Ronan Lee has been a strong and outspoken advocate for the environment. He has been a strong supporter of legislation to end broadscale land clearing, of laws to protect Queensland’s wild rivers, and he has also been a key opponent of uranium mining into Queensland.”

“We welcome his announcement to join the Greens, and become their first Queensland MP, as a decision which can only enhance the profile of environmental and conservation issues in this State.”
 
Given recent polls suggesting the next state election will be a very close contest, with Greens’ preferences potentially playing a critical role in the outcome, The Wilderness Society believes today’s announcement represents a seismic shift in Queensland politics, and highlights it is time for Queensland political parties to dramatically improve their environmental policies.

“Mr Lee’s decision to become the voice for the environment in Queensland’s Parliament will ensure the environment will be a high profile issue between now and the next Queensland election”, Dr Seelig stated. 

“More than four years ago the Queensland Government promised to protect nineteen wild rivers, and to progress World Heritage protection for Cape York.  To, date, only minimal progress has been made on these commitments. At the same time, the Liberal-National Party has yet to come clean on what its environmental policies are, but the Nationals in particular have a very poor record in this area.”

Dr Seelig commented that “Mr Lee’s move places new pressure on both Premier Bligh and Opposition Leader Springborg to stop treating the environment as some sort of fringe issue”.