Wilderness Society takes environment campaign right up to Campbell Newman

Media Release
The Wilderness Society (Qld) Inc.
08 November 2011

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