Abbott's Wild Rivers bill is 'anti-environment and simplistic' Senate Committee inquiry to be told

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (Qld) Inc
13 April 2010.

The Wilderness Society has described Tony Abbott's Wild Rivers Bill as both anti-environment and hopelessly short on detail. The Federal Opposition Leader introduced a Bill earlier this year into Federal Parliament seeking to overturn Queensland's groundbreaking Wild Rivers legislation.  An identical Bill has since been introduced into the Senate by National Party Senator Nigel Scullion, and referred to a Senate Committee for Inquiry, which is holding a public hearing in Cairns today.
 
"Despite the rhetoric of claiming to be a 'fair dinkum environmentalist' Tony Abbott has shown that in fact, he would be happy to see Commonwealth Constitutional powers used to remove state protection of natural, free-flowing  rivers,” said Dr Tim Seelig, Wilderness Society Campaign Manager for Queensland.

"Liberal candidate for the Far North Queensland seat of Leichardt, Warren Entsch, has also been particularly vocal in his calls to prevent the sensible protection of rivers and wetlands on Cape York. This shows that Mr Entsch cares little for the Far North's precious environment."

Queensland's Wild Rivers Act was passed in 2005, to protect rivers across the state, including Cape York, from destructive development such as in-stream mining, dams, and large scale irrigation.  There are now nine river basins across Queensland protected under the legislation, with the Wenlock River currently going through consultation, and another twelve proposed for future protection.

At the Cairns hearing, the Senate Committee will hear presentations from several organisations, including The Wilderness Society, and from Traditional Owners - some opposed to Wild Rivers but a number who are supportive of the initiative.

"Destructive development like the proposed Cape Alumina bauxite mine on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve near the Wenlock River, or sand mining in the Aurukun wetlands could easily be allowed to go ahead if the Abbott Bill was passed", Dr Seelig commented.

The Wilderness Society will be highlighting the many deficiencies with the anti-Wild Rivers Bill, especially its lack of detail, as well as explaining why Wild Rivers protections are needed.

"This Bill represents a very disappointing position for the Opposition Leader to be taking in the lead up to this year's federal election, and it is important for the Senate to not allow Mr Abbott's anti-environment plans to succeed".

"We hope that the Senate Committee will take a close and critical look at the Bill, and ensure that Queensland's wild rivers can continue to flow freely", concluded Dr Seelig.