The Wilderness Society today slammed Campbell Newman and the LNP for a complete negative backflip on Wild Rivers within just 24 hours.

Yesterday LNP Environment spokesperson Andrew Powell suggested that western Queensland’s rivers would stay protected by Wild River declarations under an LNP Government*.

However today Mr Powell has issued a media release saying that the LNP had “not yet committed setting aside existing declarations” in the region until “consultations” with stakeholders – which will include miners - were complete.

“What has happened within the LNP within the past 24 hours for such a major apparent backflip? Has the mining industry lobbied for this rapid about face? Queenslanders deserve to know immediately why the LNP can so rapidly revert to such a backwards position on river protection” said Glenn Walker, Wild Rivers Campaigner for The Wilderness Society.

“Campbell Newman has already promised that he will tear up Wild River declarations on Cape York, opening up beautiful rivers like the Wenlock River to mining destruction. Now it appears Mr Newman has the same plans for the stunning rivers flowing into Lake Eyre.”

“All indications so far are that a Newman-led government would be a disaster for Queensland’s environment.”

*ABC Online – 16/02/12 – “LNP backs Wild Rivers laws in western Qld”

Media enquiries:
Glenn Walker: 0417 645 927

The Wilderness Society today described the LNP’s latest position on Wild Rivers as incoherent and policy on the run. LNP Environment Spokesperson Andrew Powell has today denied that his party will tear up Wild River declarations in Western Queensland, but offered no clear commitment to keeping Wild River protections in place.

“Campbell Newman and the LNP either stand for the protection of Queensland’s rivers or they don’t” said Glenn Walker, Wild Rivers Campaigner for The Wilderness Society.

“Saying you have no plans to repeal Wild River declarations in Western Queensland but promising to do just that on Cape York is ridiculous”.

“This is policy on the run. All of Queensland’s intact river systems are in urgent need of protection from the rampant mining industry. If river protection is good enough for the Lake Eyre Basin rivers, they are surely good enough for Cape York rivers.”

A statement from the LNP’s Andrew Powell followed a report on ABC’s AM radio program this morning, in which graziers, Traditional Owners and conservation groups have united to call on the LNP to keep the important Wild River declarations in place for the Georgina River, Diamantina River and Cooper Creek in western Queensland. The rivers are under imminent threat from oil and gas mining.

The Wilderness Society called on Campbell Newman and the LNP to urgently clarify their position on the protection of Queensland’s Wild Rivers, indicating that at the moment the LNP can’t be taken seriously on the protection of Queensland’s last wild rivers.

Media enquiries:
Glenn Walker: 0417 645 927

The Wilderness Society has today welcomed the commencement of the Wild River Indigenous Reference Groups for the Coleman, Olive-Pascoe and Watson river basins on Cape York.

The reference groups are formed from people nominated by their communities as having authority to speak for country and represent local clan and family groups. They have a statutory role to give direct and formal feedback to the Minister on key decisions about Wild River nominations.

“These reference groups enable Traditional Owners from river areas on Cape York to talk directly to the Environment Minister about policies that affect their country,” said Anthony Esposito, a national campaigner for the Wilderness Society.

“This initiative is welcome proof that the Queensland Government is embracing the right of Traditional Owners to speak for their country, and to participate directly in decisions to protect their waterways and achieve future economic development.

“Queenslanders now have the opportunity to break the impasse on Wild Rivers. The Wild Rivers initiative is not only world leading in its approach to conservation, natural resource management and sustainable development, it emphasises the rights and the critical role that Indigenous communities have in caring for and managing their rivers into the future.

“The Wilderness Society supports this direct engagement with Traditional Owners who speak for country. We have seen good progress with the community-driven Indigenous rangers for Wild Rivers, and these reference groups are strengthening the kind of partnership between Government and communities that can deliver great conservation outcomes and economic opportunities.

“This example can be extended to other conservation and land use decisions involving Traditional Owners right across the State. We encourage the Queensland Government and Opposition to look at how this new approach to governance works, and apply it to improving Indigenous people’s control over their traditional lands and resources.”

Comment:
Anthony Esposito, National Campaigner, Indigenous Conservation: 0418 152 743
Alex Tibbetts, Media advisor: 0416420168

The Wilderness Society (TWS) will today launch its campaign to secure strong environmental platforms from the ALP and LNP ahead of the Queensland election, with a particular focus on turning around Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman’s anti-environment agenda.

The campaign – which includes billboards, television ads, letterbox flyers and talking directly to voters in key electorates – aims to improve the environmental policies of all parties, and inform the public about their policies and the issues, such as land-clearing and Wild Rivers.

A huge billboard was unveiled today at the busy Normanby five-ways intersection, which captures significant traffic from the key electorate of Ashgrove, where Mr Newman is attempting to unseat former Environment Minister Kate Jones.

The billboard includes a spectacular photo of the Pascoe River on Cape York Peninsula and ask: “Campbell Newman – why won’t you protect our wild places?”. The Pascoe River will soon be considered for protection under Wild Rivers laws, but is under threat from coal mining.

Television ads just released also feature third-generation western Queensland grazier Angus Emmott calling for rivers to be protected from mining development. TWS is seeking a response from Mr Newman about why he has committed to scrapping the Wild Rivers Act, and why he won’t promise to protect Queensland’s special environment.

An electronic billboard in between the electorates of Cairns and Barron River has already been launched by TWS, who have also letterboxed four key electorates and started a postcard campaign in Far North Qld.

“We are keen to work with any party to strengthen their environmental credentials because that’s what Queenslanders want,” said Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager.

“But already Campbell Newman has indicated he will wind back environmental protections, including revoking Wild Rivers declarations. This is an appalling stance and we urge him to reconsider.”

“Scrapping Wild Rivers will open up Queensland’s free flowing rivers to destructive mining and new dams. For example, the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Cape York Peninsula would be threatened by bauxite mining if Mr Newman winds back the wild river declaration for the Wenlock River.”

TWS is also seriously concerned that Mr Newman may be planning to water down Queensland’s land-clearing laws, and halt progress on a World Heritage nomination for Cape York Peninsula.

“Campbell Newman refers to saving a few hectares and a few trees he planted when Mayor of Brisbane rather than being clear on what he would do as Premier. There are 20 million hectares of bushland that could go under the bulldozer if land-clearing laws are watered down.”

“Mr Newman must promise that if elected, he will protect Queensland’s environment and leave Queensland’s environment laws intact”

TWS will also be pressuring Premier Anna Bligh to toughen the ALP’s stance on destructive mining, including protecting Queensland’s rivers from mining threats like contamination from coal seam gas, banning mining on nature refuges, and stopping coal mining in Cape York Peninsula.

TWS is seeking strong policy commitments from all parties on Queensland’s top five environmental priorities:

1. Safeguard our forests and control land clearing;
2. Preserve our unique wild rivers;
3. Apply strong environmental controls on mining development;
4. World Heritage protection for Cape York Peninsula;
5. Save our marine life from over fishing.

Media Enquiries: Dr Tim Seelig, Queensland Campaign Manager: 0439 201 183