LNP fails to commit to Wild River protections

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (Qld) Inc.
15 February 2012

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