Monday, February 14, 2011

Forest of election nightmares for major parties - 24 January 2011

Greens MP and environmental spokesperson Ian Cohen is seeking a commitment from the Labor Party and the Coalition to establish an inquiry into the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water's (DECCW) approval of old-growth forest logging. A recent independent audit commissioned by DECCW has revealed consistent and continued approval of illegal logging in old-growth forests.

"Over six months ago at the 2010 Budget Estimates hearings I requested DECCW provide the independent audit of private native forestry in NSW. We now have an independent report before us that clearly demonstrates DECCW have approved areas of old-growth forest for logging, contrary to their own laws and guidelines," said Mr Cohen.

"The review looked at 12 properties undertaking approved private native forestry operations. Extrapolating the results out it appears that 75% of mapped old-growth on those properties (8,490 hectares) has been illegally approved for logging.”

"The results demonstrate that the old-growth forest assessment process is flawed. DECCW has reassessed 9518 hectares and allegedly decided that 7898 hectares are not old-growth forest and is open for logging."

"Considering the dire biodiversity impacts associated with old-growth logging any political party serious about confronting biodiversity loss in NSW should support a rigorous parliamentary inquiry in May 2011."

"Without review and reconsideration, proposed objectives in Draft NSW Biodiversity Strategy 2010-2015 will simply be unattainable. It will greatly undermine our ability to preserve biodiversity in the face of increasing climate change impacts."

"While I was disappointed that the Deputy Opposition Leader, Andrew Stoner allegedly committed the NSW Coalition to 'ripping up' the Native Vegetation Act back in February 2010 I do hope that the Coalition can support a review of how we protect our unique and beautiful old-growth forests and their inherent biodiversity."

"I will be writing to the Leader of the Opposition to secure agreement to refer the regulation of private native forestry to parliamentary inquiry when the new parliament resumes."

Further Information: Ian Cohen 0409 989 466

Orica barred from exporting its toxic legacy - 3 December 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen is congratulating the Danish Environment Minister, Karen Ellemann for halting the receipt of 6100 tonnes of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) from the Orica facility in Sydney. The Danish Government had previously agreed to accept the toxic HCB waste and incinerate the waste in the local Nyborg community.
"The decision of the Danish Environment Minister to protect the health of Danish citizens and the local environment demonstrates the irresponsibility of the former Australian Environment Minister, Peter Garrett in licensing the export of the HCB waste," said Mr Cohen

"Rather than forcing the hand of Orica to take full responsibility for their waste by adequately investing in indirect desorption facilities within the Australian jurisdiction, Peter Garrett will be placing the global environment at great risk."

"There is an inherent danger in shipping highly toxic waste across vast oceanic distances. We have witnessed a number of recent maritime disasters involving oil tankers within Australian waters. An accident on the high seas involving HCB waste cargo spilling into the sea would cause environmental destruction of an unimaginable scale."

"I also want to congratulate the dock workers of Denmark and their colleagues in Sweden and Norway for refusing to unload the toxic cargo. They have done a great service for the international environment and the local communities in Nyborg."

"I will call on the current Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke to revoke Orica's HCB export licence issued by Peter Garrett. I will also call on the current Environment Minister to force the hand of Orica to invest in industry leading technology to dispose of the waste in a way that does not harm the community or the environment."

“Orica needs to protect both the local and international community and be made to treat the waste at an appropriate Australian treatment facility. They created the waste and must be completely responsible for its safe disposal within Australia.”


Further Information: Ian Cohen 0409 989 466

Toxic legacy sets sail in ship of shame - 30 November 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has called for an immediate ban on shipping thousands of litres of Australian generated toxic waste, notably hexachlorobenzene (HCB), to Denmark.

'NSW Government's of both political persuasions have been well aware of the HCB storage at Botany. Coalition and ALP Government's have ignored the mountains of toxic waste capped under a car park at the Botany site. I highlighted the issue as far back as 1987 with a direct action campaign at the site.

“Allowing this industrial waste to leave Australian shores would pose an unacceptable risk to the environment" Mr Cohen said.

"There is an inherent danger in shipping highly toxic waste across vast oceanic distances. I am advised that one of the ships potentially involved in transporting the waste has failed several recent safety inspections. The consequences of a spill at sea would be catastrophic.

“The Commonwealth Government's own fact sheet states that exposure to HCB can harm the liver, immune and kidney systems. It is a known carcinogen and is toxic to young children, with exposure causing decreased infant survival rates.

“Danish public sentiment is so strongly against their country accepting our industrial waste that their unions have refused to unload the toxic waste when it arrives.

"Unless we stop this material being loaded it will head off on the high seas only to meet a ban on unloading in Europe. This means the waste will be offloaded at the first port willing to take it and there will be no guarantee that another country would have the appropriate facilities to process the waste.

“Orica needs to protect both the local and international community and be made to treat the waste at an appropriate Australian treatment facility. They created the waste and must be completely responsible for its safe disposal within Australia” Mr Cohen said.

Hunter's Hill Radioactive football: where will it land next? - 18 October 2010

NSW Greens MLC and Chair of the Inquiry into the Former uranium smelter site, Hunter's Hill Ian Cohen is calling on the NSW Government to disclose details of how it classified potentially radioactive waste from Nelson Parade in Hunter's Hill.

"During the Inquiry I asked a Department of Environment representative whether the radioactive material at Hunter's Hill would be diluted with other materials to allow the contaminated soil to be classified as restricted solid waste. The Department indicated that dilution of material would not be an acceptable way of complying with regulatory standards," said Mr Cohen.

"If dilution has not occurred then the potentially radioactive contaminated soil would need to contain less than the prescribed amount 100 becquerels per gram in order to be classified as restricted industrial waste as opposed to radioactive waste."

"In relation to the classification the Committee considered a number of historical reports on contamination levels. While the Committee noted that more recent studies showed soil samples from the site as below the 100 bequerals/gram benchmark, it did acknowledge the potential for some soil excavated from hotspots to exceed the 100 bequerals/gram benchmark requiring classification as hazardous waste."

"If the contaminated soil has been inappropriately classified, then the waste cannot be disposed of at Kemps Creek and the Government will have to look at other disposal options, keeping in mind that the ANSTO Lucas Heights facility is not permitted to store the waste."

"I understand the concern expressed by Liberal candidate for Mulgoa, Tanya Davis and call on her to review the classification material in a bid to drive an informed and reasoned discussion about whether Kemps Creek can take the waste. What more I call on Ms Davis to rally with me against the Liberal Party's unending support for unrestricted uranium mining and development of a domestic nuclear energy sector."

"Generations of pro-nuclear Governments, at both a state and federal level, have dodged this issue. No community right across Australia wants to be the repository of radioactive waste. Kemps Creek residents don't want it and neither do the Aboriginal communities of Muckaty Station. This should be a wakeup call for any political party proposing nuclear energy development."

More consultation needed as Repco Rally rolls south - 30 September 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen is hailing the end of the Repco Rally in the Northern Rivers region as a significant win for the local community but remains concerned about the potential impact of the 2011 Repco Rally for Coffs Harbour communities.

"The change in location to Coffs Harbour is a win for the Northern Rivers community who have fought so hard against this environmentally and financially irresponsible event," said Mr Cohen.

"Holding an international motor sport in one of Australia's most biodiverse and iconic natural areas - the Green Cauldron - demonstrates the frightening lack of vision in Events NSW."

"However, simply moving the event is not a win for the wider community as the Coffs Harbour area may face similar issues to those experienced in the Northern Rivers region. The organisers and the NSW Government need to open the books on the event and commission an independent examination of the submissions made to the IMC Review."

"Moving the Repco Rally to Coffs Harbour also does not address the lingering concerns about the economic costs and benefits of this event. Recently I called on the Government to release all papers relating to direct Government expenditure and economic assessments, but instead of providing all relevant information they claimed commercial in confidence over a large proportion of papers."

"I think there is a real fear that the income generation figures touted by the Treasurer Eric Roozendaal are grossly inflated and inaccurate. There remain questions as to why any local area would accommodate this type of event."

"I again call on the Government to release detailed costing on how much they have spent on this event and what the real profits will be so that the people of Coffs Harbour can make an informed decision about whether they want the Repco Rally in their backyard," said Mr Cohen.

Government negligence confirmed in HMAS Adelaide case - 16 September 2010

Greens MLC Ian Cohen congratulates the No Ship Action Group and the Environmental Defender's Office for their legal campaign following today's decision from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal into the scuttling of the HMAS Adelaide.

"The presumptuous way in which the initial planning and approval was carried out is yet another example of both the Federal and NSW Governments disregarding due process and local community concerns to drive through an activity that was known to be environmentally detrimental" said Greens MLC Ian Cohen.

"From the outset, the people of NSW were misled over the assessment and removal of toxic chemicals from the HMAS Adelaide and it was only until this matter was taken to court that anything approximately a fair hearing was achieved. It is a great success that the Government will now be forced to clean up lead and PCBs on board before the HMAS Adelaide is scuttled.

"Imagine if Minister Tony Kelly had been allowed to go ahead with the scuttling in March as originally planned? We would be faced with an environmental catastrophe that would have passed on a toxic legacy to generations to come.

"The concerns of the local community that they were not being provided with comprehensive and accurate information about the environmental impact of the scuttling of the HMAS Adelaide have been proven to be valid by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal finding.

"Given the findings of the Tribunal and the lack of due process followed by the Federal Government in approving the scuttling without imposing conditions on first cleaning up the toxins, we must now question whether or not previous sinkings of decommissioned navy ships have been allowed to pollute our precious marine environment.

"I congratulate the No Ship Action Group and the Environmental Defender's Office for standing up to the Federal and NSW Governments to ensure that the local community and the environment were given the respect they deserve" said Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Ian Cohen 0409 989 466

Government recognises life-saving success of Kings Cross injecting room - 15 September 2010

Greens MLC Ian Cohen welcomes the NSW Government's decision to introduce legislation to make the Kings Cross injecting room a permanent service.

"My involvement in this issue goes right back to my membership of the Inquiry into Safe Injecting Rooms in the late 1990s and I am incredibly proud that we have now reached a stage where this vital public health service can move out of its trial status and be provided with the ongoing certainty that will only continue to benefit people struggling with drug addiction as well as the wider community" said Mr Cohen.

"After almost 10 years, the evidence is clear that the Kings Cross injecting room has played an enormous role in saving over 3,000 lives and has not had the negative impact on crime in Kings Cross as initially feared by the injecting room's detractors.

"Published medical literature has conclusively shown us that opioid related overdoses and injuries have significantly declined since the injecting room was opened, and that it has flow-on benefits to the community by lowering demand for ambulance services.

"There is widespread support from medical experts and peak medical bodies for the work done by the Kings Cross injecting room as it is recognised that it is a pragmatic and effective response to the issue of intravenous drug addiction.

"The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have reviewed the volume of crime in Kings Cross between 1999 and March 2010 and found that there was "no evidence" that the injecting room has negatively impacted on crime in this area. This applies not just to drug offences, but also to theft, robbery, property crimes.

"I applaud the Government for acknowledging the clear evidence that the Kings Cross injecting room works and that it is safe for users and the surrounding community. For too long there has been a reluctance to afford this facility and its users with the certainty it requires to provide long-term compassionate, safe and effective services to the community" said Mr Cohen.

Government fails to regulate environmental harm - 15 September 2010

Greens MLC Ian Cohen has criticised the NSW Government's management of pollution incidents following the publishing of the Auditor-General's performance audit of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.

"The Auditor-General's report on how well the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) are managing pollution incidents in NSW is a scathing indictment of the disregard this Government holds for the environmental impacts of pollution.

"To find out that the Government's regulator in the fight against pollution does not analyse or report on key environmental performance indicators such as how much environmental harm is occurring from pollution incidents, how many pollution incidents are occurring and whether their approach to regulation is actually effective, is mind-boggling.

"When we have a system whereby polluting activities are licensed, it is of utmost necessity that those regulating the licensees know whether or not the level of reported compliance is accurate and if all pollution incidents are in fact being reported. Instead we have a situation where fewer licences are being issued but the number of reports in which licensees are being implicated is increasing.

"Given that about 90% of pollution incidents were most likely from licensed premises; these failings mean that polluters are effectively given free rein to damage our environment in the pursuit of profits.

"Instead of doing their job of monitoring and enforcing pollution mitigation and management, the Government was found to be relying on the public to be their "eyes and ears" with 80% of pollution incidents being reported by members of the community. And somehow they expect the community to be able to do this without adequately communicating its Environment Line phone number.

"I hope that the Government takes the Auditor-General's report for the wake-up call that it is and rely on misleading and indefensible statements to hide the fact that they are simply not doing their job in regulating pollution" said Mr Cohen.

Aboriginal Constitutional Recognition - Congratulations - 8 September 2010

The Greens will be supporting changes to the NSW Constitution that are being introduced to the Parliament today to recognise Aboriginal people as the first people of the State.

"These changes are long overdue and will finally acknowledge the unique place that Aboriginal people have in the history of this State" NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

"NSW will now join Victoria and Queensland in recognising within their Constitutions that Aboriginal people were the first people of this land.

"I am pleased that the Government listened to the comments that were made during the consultation period and have now agreed on wording that NSW can be proud of.

"The changes to the NSW Constitution will now reflect the spiritual, economic, social and cultural connections that Aboriginal people have to the land and waters of this State.

"This is an important part of building the bridges of reconciliation between the people of NSW and will further strengthen the case for similar changes to be made at a Federal level.

"The Greens have long supported the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and have secured a commitment from the new Australian Government that a referendum on this issue will be held within the next three years.

"It is my hope that the acknowledgement of Aboriginal people that we are about to see in the NSW Constitution will soon be reflected across our nation" said Mr Cohen.

Japan fails on human and whale rights - 7 September 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has called on the Japanese Government to review its support of the corrupt whaling industry following the recent conviction of anti-whaling protestors.

"The conviction of Japanese anti-whaling activists Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato for exposing the corruption within the whaling industry is an indictment of the Japanese Government's support for this inhumane practice" says Mr Cohen.

"Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato found evidence that whale meat that is slaughtered in the name of so-called "scientific research" is in fact being sold on the black market by crew members from the whaling ships.

"Instead of being lauded for their courage in bringing to light such corruption, Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato were treated deplorably during the investigation and have now had convictions brought against them for theft and trespass.

"I find this very troubling as when I met Toru Suzuki last year I was impressed by his integrity and commitment to the campaign against Japan's whaling activities.

"Earlier this year, the UN Human Rights Council found that Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato had been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty by the Japanese Government in response to protesting against whaling activities, a direct contravention of their universal human rights.

"The Japanese Government must be told in no uncertain terms that the mistreatment of citizens, who are expressing their right to protest and hold a Government accountable for its actions, is appalling and needs to stop.

"The evidence presented by Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato confirms that the system of issuing scientific permits for killing whales is merely a way of getting around the international moratorium on commercial whaling and that there is simply no need for the unnecessary and outdate practice of hunting whales.

"I have written to the Japanese Consulate-General to urge the Japanese Government to heed the concerns of the international community over the way in which Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato have been treated and to end the environmentally perverted practice of hunting whales" said Mr Cohen.

Government spins wheels on Repco Rally economics - 31 August 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has called on the Government to refer all economic data and analysis associated with the 2009 Repco Rally to the Auditor-General for independent review.

"The recent release of a report prepared for the Government by Integrated Marketing Communications Pty Ltd (IMC) displays a clear lack of objectivity, raising serious questions about its accuracy," said Mr Cohen.

"The report uses terminology that is inflammatory and inappropriate for an assessment of such an important matter.

"To repeatedly label local community opposition to the Repco Rally as "zealots" shows the contempt that the Government and IMC holds for the legitimate concerns of local residents and business owners.

"The conclusion that the economic benefits of the 2009 Repco Rally far outweighed the costs is based on submissions from Events NSW and Rally Australia, two organisations that have a vested interest in supporting the decision to go ahead with this event despite a divisive and inadequate planning process.

"All economic data and analysis related to the Repco Rally must be released so that a robust and independent assessment can be made into whether or not NSW really did get a good deal out of this event.

"We know from the Auditor-General's independent review of the V8 Supercars Races that we cannot rely on the Government, or its close associates, to accurately assess the economic benefits to NSW of these types of events.

"Given the V8 Races cost $10 million more and delivered 25% fewer benefits than planned, what assurance is there about the accuracy of the information in the IMC report?

"Until the Auditor-General is able to look at and report on all of the economic information from the 2009 Repco Rally, it is unacceptable that the Government would even consider holding this event in the future," said Mr Cohen.

Waste tip risks Jervis Bay National Park's creeks and wetlands - 21 July 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has told a community rally outside NSW Parliament today that a proposed waste tip adjacent to Jervis Bay National Park and near creeks and wetlands poses unacceptable environmental risks and mustn't be allowed to proceed.

The proposal for a waste tip at Tomerong is due to go to be considered by a Joint Regional Planning Panel and has met with fierce community opposition.

"To locate a tip that has the potential to take lead paints and other hazards near waterways and national parks is pure madness," Mr Cohen told the rally today.

"Materials such as lead, a highly toxic substance to humans, could quickly contaminate waterways after heavy rains and flooding.

"Within a couple of hundred metres from the proposed tip are the upper reaches of two river systems, both of which of course flood.

"If the State Government was serious about waste management it would be prioritising alternative waste transfer stations ahead of tips.

"Other forms of waste this tip will take are construction and demolition waste. This waste should be crushed and processed into materials such as road base, not sent to landfill.

"The risks of contamination are too great and the tip must not be allowed to go ahead at its proposed location.

"Impacts on surrounding communities are also unacceptable such as a massive increase in truck movements through small community towns, noise and odour," said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

Sunday, February 13, 2011

NSW Labor supports dismantling our Marine Protected Areas - 24 June 2010

On the last day of NSW Parliament for the Legislative Council, NSW Labor has joined the Shooters and National Party campaign to dismantle our Marine Protected Areas, delivering a significant blow to our iconic coastline environment and regional tourism. Greens MP Ian Cohen is declaring the Labor Party’s moratorium on Marine Protected Areas an absolute betrayal of our coastline.

“I would have thought NSW Labor was already scaping the bottom of the policy barrel after its campaign to introduce inappropriate, large scale commercial development into our National Parks,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Having watched the NSW Labor Government indicate this morning that it supported the Shooters and National Party campaigns to place a moratorium on marine protected areas, it is clear NSW Labor has hit rock bottom in managing the NSW environment.

“NSW Labor’s support for a moratorium of marine protected areas in the International Year of Biodiversity and in the face of recent independent economic modelling of marine protected areas in Western Australia is simply irrational.”

“NSW Labor is supporting a Bill that will actively prevent the protection and conservation of critically endangered and threatened marine species and ecosystems such as grey nurse sharks and sea turtles. For the last 15 years Labor has professed the need to protect our endangered species and coastal ecosystems in Marine Protected Areas and in one foul swoop the Labor Party has abandoned the science of marine protection.”

“The NSW Greens are committed to protecting our endangered marine species and ecosystems for future generations and will fight up and down the NSW coastline against the Labor and Shooters Party campaign to take marine protection back to the dark ages.”

Inquiry needed to assess impact of a changing climate on NSW’s beaches - 21 June 2010

The Greens will seek to send legislation that will grant property owners the right to build, without development approval, temporary sea walls on beaches as protection against rising sea levels to a Parliamentary Inquiry this week.

“If this Bill goes ahead it will begin the fortification of our coastlines, with rock walls encroaching on to our most treasured beaches in the not-too-distant future,” said NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen.

“The implications of this legislation as well as the issues it’s trying to address are enormous and it mustn’t be rushed through the Parliament. Minister Sartor hasn’t even released guidelines with the Bill.

“The Greens will be seeking to send the Coastal Protection and Other Legislation Bill to a Parliamentary Committee so that the full impacts of climate change and coastal inundation on NSW coastal communities and coastal ecosystems can be investigated. Recommendations can then also be made as to the best whole-of-government response.

“A broader investigation into rising sea levels is urgently needed. The State Government is clearly failing to grasp the severity a changing climate is already having on our coastline.

“Sea level rise and coastal inundation is occurring right now from Kingscliff in Northern NSW to the South Coast of NSW. Our office is being contacted by people who are literally watching the beaches in front of their properties disappear.

“Planning for rising sea levels is one of the toughest things any government anywhere will have to do.

“We need a whole-of-government approach, not one that pits neighbour against neighbour and beachfront dwellers against the rest of the community. Yet Minister Sartor’s preference is to rush a band aid solution through the Parliament by the end of the week.

“The State Government is simply delaying the inevitable – that is implementing a policy of stage, planned retreat for communities affected by rising sea levels.

“The short-term vision of this current State Government is on show once again. This legislation should be called the ‘Coastal Private Property Protection’ Bill due to its prioritisation of private property protection over public beaches,” said Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 02 9230 3305 or 0412 207 043

Bill passed to allow elite tourist accommodation and facilities in National Parks - 10 June 2010

Legislation passed late last night by the NSW Upper House will see some of the State’s most iconic national parks subject to commercial tourist facilities for the elite end of the tourist market at the expense of the general public and environment, the NSW Greens said tonight.

“The passing of this legislation with the support of the Opposition threatens the integrity of our National Park estate by allowing areas within the boundaries of National Parks to be developed,” said NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“The Government is keen to adopt the Tourism and Transport Forum’s ‘high yield, low volume’ approach to visitors to National Parks which could see elite tourist resorts built in some of our most precious natural areas.

“This Bill will now make it easier for the public to be excluded from some parts of National Parks with private operators being granted ‘exclusive access’.

‘The Government is sending a clear message to the public about the future enjoyment of some National Parks - if you can’t pay, stay away.

“With commercial development comes associated infrastructure such as powerlines, roads and waste services. These all have an impact on the biodiversity values that National Parks are there to protect.

“This legislation has been driven by the bureaucracy in its effort to meet performance measures pertaining to increased numbers of visitors to our National Parks.

“Allowing elite tourist resorts in National Parks is not the way to get more people to enjoy them. Investing in basic park infrastructure and upgrades and marketing their natural values is.

“More people appreciating the beauty of the State’s National Parks is a great thing, but not if it’s at the expense of the nature with the Parks itself,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

“US Oil Spill could happen here” Greens say this World Environment Day - 5 June 2010

This World Environment Day (Saturday 5 June) the NSW Greens are seeking a commitment by the NSW Government to rule out the prospect of oil drilling off the NSW coast as reports indicate an increasing commercial interest in the area.

In a speech in the NSW Upper House this week, Greens MLC Ian Cohen warned of increasing potential for oil spills to occur off the NSW Coast due to the heightened interest in offshore oil reserves in the Sydney basin.

“Unfortunately, there really is no cause for celebration this World Environment Day,” said Mr Cohen.

“The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a portend of what’s to come if we continue to prioritise short-term profits over the long-term health of our environment.

“This World Environment Day the Greens are seeking a commitment from the State Government to rule out oil drilling in NSW waters for the long-term health and viability of the marine environment.

The website of Advent Energy, a company that is undertaking offshore drilling, states “the Offshore Sydney Basin is one of the largest remaining unexplored prospects for oil or gas in Australia… Covered by PEP 11, a 200km long, 8,100km2 permit, the offshore Sydney Basin is a significant exploration area… Oil has been recorded from some 55 locations within the onshore basin…. although gas is the initial focus, the possibility of a new oil play offshore cannot be ruled out.”

“Our tourism and fishing industries need to be reassured their businesses and jobs aren’t at risk of a future oil spill.

“The risk of serious and irreversible damage to the marine environment from offshore oil drilling and exploration should be enough to warrant extremely high levels of precaution when it comes to approving such projects, if they are approved at all.

“In an age of peak oil, we should be investing in clean technology solutions and alternatives so that we can transition away from our dependency on oil.

“The Greens will be seeking commitments from both Labor and the Coalition to rule out oil drilling off our coasts completely. Our marine environment is too precious to lose,” said Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

More Threatened Species at Risk from Govt’s Chop n’ Swap Biobanking scheme - 4 June 2010

News the Hills Shire Council is seeking approval to bulldoze sensitive bushland and ‘offset’ it under the State Government’s controversial biobanking scheme highlights the urgent need for a greater scrutiny of the whole process, say the NSW Greens.

"Biobanking is increasingly being exposed as a rort, designed purely to approve controversial developments in environmentally sensitive areas,” NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Leaked information indicates the Hills Shire Council will apply to itself, as the consent authority, to develop a piece of land it owns at Withers Road, Kellyville. The land is said to contain bushland with numerous threatened species, including Cumberland Plain Woodland, federally listed as ‘at immediate risk of extinction’.

"The environmental consultant’s report I have seen indicates there are almost certainly enough threatened species on this site to raise a 'red flag' under biobanking.

“A red flag means the loss of biodiversity can't be ‘offset’ because its conservation value is too high and therefore the development can't go ahead.

“What is happening is exactly what we were afraid of. Developers are using all sorts of spurious means to avoid these ‘red flags’.

“Some developers are deliberately engaging particular environmental consultants who may be more likely to downplay the presence of threatened species in their environmental assessments of a site.

“An accreditation system needs to be urgently introduced to ensure all environmental consultants are thoroughly qualified and independent.

“Biobanking is a rort that lets developers get away with destroying threatened species. It’s as simple as that,” said Mr Cohen.


Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

Greens applaud Red Gum National Park announcement - 19 May 2010

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has applauded the NSW government’s decisive action today to declare the Millewa State Forest a National Park with a rapid cessation to logging activity in the area.

“This is a significant environmental announcement by Premier Keneally and Minister Sartor and I applaud them both for taking decisive action to protect these forests,” said Mr Cohen today.

“Minister Sartor has worked constructively and cooperatively with me throughout this entire process.

“This is a win for the environment, the yorta yorta people and the conservationists who have dedicated countless hours to see this area conserved. It’s also a win for the timber workers and the communities who will be affected.

“Until now only 1.8% of River Red Gums Forests have been protected in reserves. Conserving the Millewa Forest as National Park is a significant addition to the State’s national park estates.

“The central finding of the NRC Report is that the river red gum forests are in decline due to river regulation, over-allocation of water and drought.

“We hope that this decision today will ensure there is healthy and thriving river red gum ecosystems for future generations to enjoy,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043 / Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466

Recognition and Rights of Carers still a long way to go - 18 May 2010

The recently passed Carer's Recognition Bill, while acknowledging the importance of the 750,000 carers in NSW fell short of giving carers the necessary rights to service they require to enhance their quality of life, the NSW Greens told a summit for carers held at NSW Parliament House.

“The Government’s Bill was a small first step for NSW to recognise carers, but must be followed up by a scheme such as a National Disability Insurance Scheme,” said Ian Cohen, Greens MLC today.

“The Carers Recognition Bill, which passed Parliament last week highlighted the fact that carers deliver massive savings to our economy and society - to the tune of $10 billion each year.

“However we are still confronted with the fact there are a significant number of people caring for parents and other family members who are losing their right to a normal life and shouldering tremendous responsibilities all at little or no cost to the taxpayers of NSW.

“If the people for whom family-carers provide support received timely and appropriate services it follows that the stress and distress of family-carers would be greatly diminished.

”For decades leadership on the issues of family-carers and the people for whom they care has created a very large problem only because it was not addressed when it was a small one.

“Sadly, it is not uncommon for children to be carers for a relative, often having to take time off school to deal with family issues.

“It is unacceptable that young people in our society are foregoing their normal childhood to act as carers. The role of young people as carers must be addressed to enable them to remain with their family and to access a normal, healthy childhood.

“Other issues raised at today’s conference included the problems experienced by carers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers who do not recognise themselves as carers, carers with mental and physical problems and widows and single mothers caring for disabled children.

“We also need to promote the concept of voluntary caring where people have the right to put up their hands and say they are not capable of further voluntary caring. Carers are suffering physically debilitating conditions during a lifetime of care effort.

“A National Disability Insurance Scheme would see great advancements for people with disabilities and carers alike, allowing them to achieve a more fulfilling life. We also must allow for other members of the community to share the responsibility to care for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

Government’s biobanking scheme could send some species to the brink - 17 May 2010

The first ‘land swap’ which has taken place today under the Government’s controversial Biobanking scheme could signal the local extinction of some threatened plant and animal species, the NSW Greens said today.

“Rather than Biobanking being the environmental success story the Environment Minister Frank Sartor depicts it as, it signals the end for some vital bushland and habitat,” said Ian Cohen, NSW Greens MLC today.

“The site conserved today in Camden is at the expense of some remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland, an endangered ecological community which will now be destroyed.

“Biobanking is a backward step for threatened species conservation in NSW because it allows land of significant ecological value to be destroyed if land of supposed ‘equal value’ is protected elsewhere.

“Most of the land the Government claims they will be conserving under Biobanking is either already earmarked for protection or unsuitable to be developed.

“Biobanking is essentially greenwashing some development, while being a backward step for conservation.

“The biobanking scheme can allow a developer to develop in an area that has a listed endangered ecological community by purchasing credits to protect a site elsewhere.

“At present NSW has 957 species listed as threatened including 91 ecological communities and this number looks set to increase. It beggers belief that the NSW Government can now trade these species and ecological communities off for development.

“The fundamental principle behind native plant and animal species being listed as threatened is so they can be conserved and protected. Apparently not any longer.

“The only possible outcome under Biobanking is the continued loss of bushland and an increase in extinction rates,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

Govt’s massively unpopular move to develop in National Parks must be scrapped - 12 May 2010

The NSW Government must back away from its massively unpopular plans to open up the State’s National Parks to development, or risk facing a backlash from the broader community over the issue, the NSW Greens warned today.

“It beggars belief that the Government thinks they can get away with trashing the State’s natural tourism drawcards by allowing development in precious natural areas,” said NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen.

“The so-called Sustainable Tourism Bill is nothing of the sort. Allowing retail outlets, kiosks, restaurants and conference centres in National Parks puts at risk everything that the Parks are there to protect.

“National Parks exist because of tireless campaigning by thousands of community members over many decades. These people are not going to simply stand by and let the Government now put these National parks at risk.

“This Bill has enraged not only the NSW environment movement, but also much of the wider community who love their National Parks.

“The State Government must go back to the drawing board and find new ways to increase visitor numbers to National Parks and upgrade tracks and basic infrastructure, while protecting the biodiversity values contained within them.

“A lot more can be done to promote and maintain the State’s National Parks, but opening them up for development is absolutely not one of them,” said Mr Cohen.


Further Information:
Cate Faehrmann 9230 3305 / 0412 207 043

Conflicts of Interest must stop when allocating scarce water - 10 May 2010

Greens MLC Ian Cohen appeared before a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Water Management today urging greater transparency when in comes to recommendations and decisions made regarding water allocations after a Freedom of Information request by his office uncovered potential instances of undue influence by mining interests.
“Despite recent rains, communities and the environment are still suffering from severe water shortages in regional NSW,” said Mr Cohen.
“Documents my office received after a recent Freedom of Information request suggest that some decisions could be being made which are only in the best interests of big water users, including Barrick Gold, instead of the wider community.
“This goes against the requirements of section 60(3) of the Water Management Act which stipulates that essential town services and environmental water allocation should take precedence over water allocated for industrial or commercial purposes.
“Of the 13 members which make up the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) none are there as community or environmental representatives. Barrick Gold and Jemalong Irrigation are, however, represented on the Committee.
“It’s imperative that those handed responsibility for making recommendations to the Minister about water allocations do so in the best interests of the entire community and the environment which so many of their livelihoods rely upon.
“The Committees must be made up of a broad range of stakeholders and pecuniary interests must be declared to avoid recommendations being made designed to benefit a few instead of the wider community and the environment.
“Climate change will only exacerbate water shortages in regional NSW and as such the management of our water must meet the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
“The Greens call on the NSW Government to reassess its framework for managing water in a time of climate change and drought so that communities and the environment don’t continue to lose out over the profits of big industry,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043

Tim Freedman and Perry Keys - Inner West Sings in Parliament in aid of Ian Cohen's Defamation Costs - 20 April 2010

Forests NSW sackings the first step to privatisation - 31 March 2010

NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen wants Minister for Forestry Resources, Ian Macdonald to clarify whether he is going to sack 70 Forests NSW staff and replace them with private contractors from Boral Australia.

“The sackings will only aggravate the poor compliance standards in understaffed and remote State Forests, especially in Northern NSW,” says Mr Cohen.

“Minister Macdonald is hell bent on running a bargin basement Forests NSW operation by flouting environmental laws and importing cheap labour. This is the modus operandi of irresponsible and unethical factories in certain developing countries. It should not be the basis of operation for a state owned corporation managing our forests in NSW.”

“Late last year, ecologist David Milledge did an audit of Yabbra State Forest uncovering more than 50 breaches to statutory licence conditions and four Acts of Parliament by Forests NSW. This scale of non-compliance is only the tip of the iceberg and Minister Macdonald is actively encouraging over harvesting to prop up Forests NSW’s unsustainable bottom line.”

“Many of those workers who will be sacked have been expressing concerns for years that they are being forced to oversee logging operations in forest that are still regenerating and shouldn't be logged for years.”

“Replacing overstretched foresters with private contractors will see an explosion in non-compliance levels. Putting tree harvesting selection in the hands of private operators without the appropriate expertise or training will mean more logging of exclusion zones, habitat trees and riparian buffer zones.”

“Minister Macdonald is managing these forest for quick, cheap short term financial gain. However, he will leave a legacy of forestry neglect, mismanagement and ecological devastation.”

“More than ever we need to establish strong legal standing rights for the community to take Forests NSW to court for breaches of forestry and threatened species legislation. State Forests are a public asset and the community should have the right to defend this precious resource.”

NSW Labor Riverina Red Gums deal fails on jobs and environment - 26 March 2010

NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen has today visited the Millewa forest with Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners and environment groups. He visited the forest that will be opened up to five years of intensive logging under the NSW Government’s River Red Gum back-flip.

“I was invited to come down here today to inspect the Millewa forest with the Yorta Yorta elders and environment groups,” says Mr Cohen.

“The Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners want to work with the NSW Government to manage a world class National Park, that fully protects the Millewa forest, to explore and develop all the socio-economic opportunities that will provide for both the broader community and the state of NSW,” said Mr Neville Atkinson, chairperson of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.

“Yorta Yorta will bring all their expertise and networks to contribute, and be looking to innovative partnerships with the private sector” he said.

“In my meeting with Yorta Yorta, I’m firmly convinced the Government should involve the high level of social capital obviously evident in this organisation,” says Mr Cohen.

“From the meeting today, I can see the opportunities that will be lost if the Government doesn’t rethink the situation to allow logging in Millewa and communicate with the Yorta Yorta. The Traditional Owners have explained to me today that more logging in Millewa is a bad outcome for the River Country and also a bad outcome for their people.”

“Earlier this morning I heard about the brand new jobs that Yorta Yorta nation have provided to five young rangers who will work in the Barmah National Park, just across the river, in Victoria.

“These are rewarding jobs that keeps them close to their culture and country, and this is just the beginning. I have heard about many other business and employment opportunities the Yorta Yorta are exploring.

“The NSW Government is turning its back on similar Indigenous job opportunities in NSW with its short-sighted decision to let logging continue. It is also destroying the values that make this place sacred to Traditional Owners.

“After more than 200 years of damage and destruction, Yorta Yorta say it is time right now to start the long path to recovery of the Murray River and its floodplain, not in five years time or ten years time. I will be taking their views back to the Parliament” Mr Cohen said.


Further information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 or Neville Atkinson 0419 502 272

Assessment of Ex-HMAS Adelaide must be provided to the local community - 22 March 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is urging the Federal Minister for Environment to publicly release all the independent reports on and assessment of the Ex-HMAS Adelaide before the ship is towed to Avoca Beach to be scuttled 1.7 km from Avoca beach.

Minister Garrett has today issued a permit to the NSW Government to scuttle the Ex-HMAS Adelaide off Avoca Beach under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (Sea Dumping Act). However, significant community concern about the assessment process persists, and I, like the local community, want to see the documentation supporting Minister Garrett’s claim that the scuttling will not pose an environmental or public safety risk,” says Mr Cohen.

“The local community are rightly concerned. NSW Government ministers have got their facts wrong at every corner, from which beach the ship is to be sunk off to the removal of PCBs from the ship. For example Minister for Land Tony Kelly indicated on 24 February 2010 to the NSW Parliament that ‘all PCBs, lead and other toxic materials have been removed'. Considering that the ship was not tested until 6 March 2010, the Minister’s representations appear inconsistent.”

“Minister Garrett and the NSW Government need to show the public that all toxic materials are removed from the ship. The National Toxics Network (NTN) Australia have written a letter to Minister Garrett advising the Minister of the need to test the ship for recently banned persistent organic pollutants (POP) such as Pentabromodiphenyl ether (C-PentaBDE) and Octabromodiphenyl ether (OctaBDE).”

“PentaBDE in ships is specifically referenced in the Risk Profile document prepared by the United Nations POPs Review Committee. Minister Garrett has an obligation to ensure these chemicals are not left on board where they will leach into the marine environment.”

“The community has every right to be concerned about the dumping of waste on their local beach. Information obtained by local community groups on the ship cleaning process raise real concerns about whether the process has been as robust and rigorous as the NSW Government have made out. I hope that Minister Kelly and Federal Minister Garrett have enough respect for the local community to release the ship assessment documentation.”

Labor and Liberals consorting to create new private waste monopoly - 18 March 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is calling on the major parties to break up the WSN Environmental Solutions monopoly before it is transferred into private hands.

“Not only are we facing an ill-conceived privatisation agenda, but the structure of the privatisation process is one which will see Sydney households paying more to a privatised waste goliath holding 90% of Sydney’s waste infrastructure. What incentive will a private waste monopoly have to invest in better recycling technology?” says Mr Cohen.

“Without amendments to break up ownership of the transfer stations and landfills we are simply exchanging a public monopoly for a private one. Failure to break this monopoly will severely punish Sydney households and ratepayers with ever increasing waste disposal costs and provide a powerful disincentive for private investment in advanced waste technologies.”

A proposed amendment from the Liberal and Labor Parties simply requires the Treasurer to report on strategies to resolve competition issues prior to the sale. There is nothing stopping the Treasurer from selling all WSN assets to one entity. The amendment is totally ineffectual.

“The Liberal Party appears keen to jump on board a Labor privatisation agenda that will greatly increase waste management costs without any corresponding environmental benefit. Liberal support for the current proposal is decimating a core element of the party’s environmental policy. The Coalition policy on privatisation of WSN clearly states;

“A Coalition Government will break the Government’s near-monopoly on putrescible waste in the Sydney region by selling WSN Environmental Services’ transfer stations and landfills to the private sector. The corporation will be split into at least two parts to ensure competition and stimulate innovation. To maintain competition, we will legislate to ensure that no private company or individual can control more than 45% of Sydney’s putrescible waste stream in the future.”

“The amendments being put forward by the Liberal Party do not adhere to their own policy. Every Liberal member in the Legislative Assembly expressed a desire to stop a public monopoly becoming a private monopoly during debate. It appears the policy lite NSW Liberal Party can’t even keep its word on what little policy it does have.”

Repco Rally – show me the money Minister Macdonald - 11 March 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen today asked the Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian Macdonald, about the negligible impact the Repco Rally had on the coffers of the Tweed Shire. According to figures provided by ABS data, in September 2009, the month of the Repco Rally, there was an increase in visitor nights by only 867 compared to September of 2008 and an increase in takings from all accommodation by only $850,000 compared to the previous year.
“In the house today I asked the Minister whether he would agree that the Rally’s Socio-Economic Impact Assessment was grossly overstated. The Rally’s SEIA claimed the event “is estimated to increase tourist visitor nights by up to 92,000” and would bring $30 million dollars to the area,” said Mr Ian Cohen.
“I also asked whether the Minister would agree that, comparing visitor numbers recorded by Tweed Tourism in September 2008 and September 2009 – an increase of only 626 people across the whole month – is a negligible impact unlikely to generate the touted $30 million dollars in revenue for the area.

“The Minister responded by saying that he was committed to the Rally for another nine years and again crowed about what a great event the 2009 Rally was. The hype and spin the Minister continues to put out about this Rally defies the reality. Whilst some local businesses made good money over a three day event, I don’t believe this will equate to the $30 million dollar profit the Rally’s promoters had been touting.”

Secret Government document reveals Department conflict over Kings Forest - 11 March 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is calling on the Minister for Planning to review internal documents marked ‘not for file’ on Kings Forest obtained under freedom of information. The former Minister denied the existence of this file that reveals an intense inter-departmental stoush between Department of Environment and the Department of Planning over conservation outcomes for Kings Forest.

“To many of us the controversy surrounding Kings Forest encompasses a simple story of the conflict between conservation objectives and residential development. However, behind bureaucracy walls the Department of Planning wilfully ignored advice from Department of Environment that DoP’s recommendations directly compromise the ongoing viability of local populations of two threatened fauna species, the koala and the long-nosed potoroo,” says Mr Cohen.

In an internal letter dated 31 January 2006 Joe Woodward, the then executive director of the Environment Protection Regulation Division, advised the then Acting Executive Director Yolanda Stone that;

“The DEC is of the view that to ensure the long-term survival of the species, in particular the Koala, the Long-nosed Potoroo and the Wallum Froglet, the southern and north-eastern portions of Kings Forest would need to be conserved under an appropriate environmental protection zone. Such an outcome would also contribute to the conservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage. The DoP's position, as advised to Project 28, achieves considerably less than the DEC's recommendation.”

“The Department of Environment and Conservation has told the Department of Planning that Project 28's development proposal will sever the link between key habitats and will significantly reduce the long-term viability of the Cudgen Nature Reserve.”

“It will result in the loss of local populations of a number of threatened species—a process that inevitably leads to extinction. The Department of Planning is ignoring the advice of respected ecological consultants and the New South Wales Government's key environmental agency.”

“To add further insult, the Department of Planning suppressed reports of three independent ecological experts from planning reviews conducted by the Planning Workshop and the Snowy Mountains Electricity Commission.”

“The remnants of protest from the Department of Environment and Conservation were well and truly eliminated when the project proponents called on Minister Sartor and personally asked the Minister to call in Kings Forest under part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act according to department correspondence.”

Garrett and Sartor must act before ADI site is hacked - 10 March 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is calling for a halt to clearing of 360 hectares of critically endangered bushland on a former ADI site in the Cumberland Plain. The imminent clearing by bulldozers of this bushland - adjacent to sensitive wetlands - flies in the face of the NSW Government’s own advice on the Cumberland Plain. The environmental approval that allows Delfin Lend Lease to clear the area and build homes for 6500 people was granted under now superseded Federal conservation laws. The site should be reconsidered using current Federal law and NSW State guidelines.

“This clearing should be halted immediately. Both Federal scientists and NSW Department of Environment Water and Climate Change (DECCW) scientists have listed this area, the Cumberland Plain Woodland in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, as a Critically Endangered Ecological Community and yet it is about to be bulldozed,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Environment Minister Sartor must talk to his Federal counterpart, Mr Garrett, and act to save the Cumberland Plain from desecration.

“The best way to protect the Cumberland Plain is through a specific State Environment Planing Policy (SEPP) for the area. Planning Minister Tony Kelly must take control of management of the Cumberland Plain, place restrictions on subdivision and clearing of vegetation and act to protect habitat corridors.

“In November last year DECCW released a Draft Recovery Plan for the Cumberland Plain. The Recovery Plan does not incorporate the recommendations of DECCW’s own Scientific Committee to protect critically endangered habitat. It is a set of guidelines only that cannot override environmental planning instruments that currently apply to the land.

“Already NSW Planning Laws and Local Councils have shown a failure to protect biodiversity in Western Sydney and I suspect the Government’s Recovery Plan for the Cumberland Plain will be similarly ineffectual.

“Western Sydney’s natural heritage should not be laid bare to desecration because there is no political will in NSW to stop it happening.”

Lachlan a river of gold for business, a dust bowl for communities - 10 March 2010

A Freedom of Information request by Greens MP Ian Cohen to access the minutes of the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Committee has revealed the extent to which profits, not communities, are what drives decisions to allocate water.

“The decisions of the Committee reflect the commercial interests of the area, such as Barrick Gold and Jemalong Irrigation, not the critical water needs of communities,” said Mr Cohen.

“At a time when Wyangala Dam was at 6% capacity, the Advisory Committee recommended a 10% allocation for high security users because, in the words of the Committee, ‘the mines rely upon trading’ and ‘the available water for purchase would be high security’. The Committee also recommended that Jemalong Irrigation Ltd be provided with a conveyance allowance of 1000 megalitres so it could trade surface water - upstream only - to the mines and reduce the impacts on the groundwater that Barrick Gold extracts from.

“According to Minister Costa, Barrick Gold has used approximately 17 percent of the 2.6GL allocated to high security water access licences in 2009/10, almost one fifth of all the water allocated to these users. As at November 2009 Barrick Gold had purchased 603.3ML of water off high security users including Jemalong Irrigation and others totalling over $300,000 dollars. Over the last 4 water years Barrick Gold has spent over $3 million dollars on acquiring 6821.9 ML of water from both high security and general security water users on the Lachlan. This water is in addition to the significant water Barrick extracts from groundwater sources.

“The Advisory Committee has had representatives of Jemalong Irrigation and Barrick Gold influencing decisions yet no voice has been listened to from the lower Lachlan, aboriginal communities or environmental organisations. This Committee has no process for managing conflicts of interest, inflaming perceptions that Committee members may directly or indirectly benefit financially through water trading markets.

“In November 2009, Orange Councillor for the Greens Jeremy Buckingham and I called for an urgent Inquiry into Water Management in NSW to improve the governance mechanisms of our water management framework. Two days later Parliament’s Natural Resource Management (Climate Change) Committee decided it wanted to investigate sustainable water management in the context of climate change scenarios.

“I encourage all communities on the Lachlan and other regulated rivers to participate in the Inquiry and pursue transparent and accountable water management in NSW.”

Latest National Park a mere shadow of Carr's era - 2 March 2010

The Millewa National Park area, described last year as the ‘jewel in the conservation crown’ by former Premier Nathan Rees, will be logged for another five years after a decision taken by Premier Keneally and her Cabinet today.

“It’s a pathetic compromise that leaves half of the magnificent Millewa Forest open for logging.

“This is a backflip of monumental proportions by the NSW Premier.

“Forestry advocate Minister Macdonald has won the day and will now oversee the continued destruction of the beautiful Millewa forest.

“The Labor Government has presided over almost two decades of illegal and unsustainable logging in River Red Gum forests – and today they have pledged to continue that destruction.

“They are going to fork out $48 million dollars of environmental trust funding to bail out a timber industry that has over-cut the forests at four times the sustainable rate, without even protecting the highest conservation value area.

“As a result of this decision today, the jewel in the crown is going to be irreparably compromised– and the NSW taxpayer will be picking up the tab.

“The Keneally Government has lost a prize opportunity to win the confidence of the Green movement. They will regret it at the polls.”

Cohen pushes Macdonald to ensure proper Repco Rally review - 25 February 2010

Minister for State Development, Ian Macdonald, today conceded to pressure from the Greens’ Ian Cohen and committed in the House to a proper economic review of the Repco Rally – in compliance with the Motor Sports (World Rally Championship) Act 200 – with a statement in the Parliament today.

“My office was alarmed to hear that Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), the company contracted to review the Repco Rally, was not going to be undertaking an economic cost benefit analysis. Mike Cahill, the managing director of IMC, confirmed this in correspondence with a resident in the Rally area,” says Ian Cohen.

“I asked the Minister in Question Time today why IMC was not doing an economic analysis and how IMC could possibly recommend the continuation of the Rally to the Minister if such an analysis has not been done.”

“The Minister’s initial response was his usual bluster about what a great event it was and how local businesses did such good trade over that weekend. Such anecdotal assertions are spurious and mean nothing if not supported by a full economic analysis of the event. I have heard of businesses that actually suffered as a result of the event. A proper analysis is the only way to determine if the event was financially viable.”

“I have reservations as to how we will discover the real cost benefit of the Rally, since the amount of funding given by Events NSW to the Rally organisers has been kept secret under ‘commercial in confidence’. If we don’t know the initial outlay, how can final figures be determined?”

“Many local people fear the review process will go the way of the ‘community consultations’ that took place before the event. Locals were consulted then their concerns overridden by the special legislation that enabled the event and switched off all planning and environmental laws that would have prevented it.”

“The Minister must have consulted his own Act and remembered that he is bound by Section 25 of the Motor Sports (World Rally Championship) Act that says, ‘The Minister is to conduct a review of the impact in the Northern Rivers region of the rally event to determine whether future rally events should be conducted in that region.’
“Minister Macdonald announced to the House at the end of Question Time that there would be an economic analysis of the Rally. Whilst an economic analysis is important, the real concern about the Rally is the impact it has had on the environment and the community and the likely negative impact any future rallies will have. “

Macdonald concocts his own ‘scientific’ assessment against River Red Gum report - 24 February 2010

Minister for Forestry Resources, Ian Macdonald, today refuted the findings of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), which reported that Forests NSW, under his stewardship, had logged red gums in the Riverina region 70% beyond sustainable levels. The NRC report was commissioned by former Premier Nathan Rees to ascertain the true state of the red gum forests.

Mr Macdonald was responding to a question in Parliament by Greens MLC Ian Cohen: on what basis does the Minister argue that logging forests 70% beyond sustainable levels equates with world’s best practice?

“In 2007 the Minister described Forests NSW management of Riverina Red Gums to the House as achieving the ‘highest international environmental order’,” said Ian Cohen.

“I asked the Minister whether he stood by the assertion that Forests NSW has engaged in environmental management of the “highest international environmental order” in light of the Natural Resources Commission’s findings. Mr Macdonald was dogged in his response.

“Rather than concede that he has overseen years of unsustainable and illegal logging in an already stressed wetlands system, Mr Macdonald chose to shoot the messenger. He strongly disagreed with the Natural Resources Commission’s assessment that logging took place at 70% beyond what is sustainable.

“This is not the first time that Minister Macdonald has ignored the findings of the NRC if they don’t agree with him. When Snowy Hydro sought to extend the Snowy Mountains Cloud Seeding trial, Mr Macdonald dismissed the NRC’s findings that there was ‘no evidence to support claims of increased snowfall caused by cloud seeding’. Mr Macdonald was so keen to see an increase in the tourism industry in the Snowy he didn’t want to be weighed down by the evidence of science.”

“Mr Macdonald continues his role of environmental marauder, deaf to the entreaties of qualified scientific reason of the highest order.”

Breastscreen Rally – local concerns raise questions - 24 February 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen will ask Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt about improving access for all Northern Rivers women to the new breast screen machines that are at Tweed Heads and Lismore. Mr Cohen supports the concerns of residents who are protesting the removal of mobile screening units that serviced Ballina, Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Casino. Women in the area now have to go to fixed breast screening units at Lismore or Tweed Heads for a mammogram.

“I will be putting Questions on Notice to the Health Minister because I am concerned about a reduction of access to the breast screening services. I raised this issue in Parliament during Breast Cancer Awareness Week last year. I also wrote to the Minister about the issue. She assured me then that the mobile units have been replaced by state of the art breast screening machines at Lismore and Tweed Heads.”

“I will be asking the Health Minister further questions to determine whether these new machines could be put into mobile units. Women would then have the advantage of the new technology and the increased access that the mobile unit provides.”

“Not all women in the Northern Rivers area have a car; there is poor public transport in the area and many women will find it very difficult to get to their nearest screening centre,” says Ian Cohen.

“It is important to increase the number of women who are coming to be screened for breast cancer. I am especially concerned about women from indigenous communities in less accessible areas such as Cabbage Tree Island, for whom travel to Lismore is quite an expedition.

“Local women report that when there was a van in Ballina, a mammogram was a quick examination that took around 15 minutes. Just to travel to Lismore from Ballina will take 40 minutes each way.

“The message of all breast cancer awareness campaigns is that early detection is of paramount importance in determining a woman’s survival and recovery from the disease.
“I will be asking the Minister if the return of the mobile Breastscreen units can provide better health outcomes for women by making screening easier to access.“

River Red Gums - Keneally should break from unsustainable past - 23 February 2010

Premier Keneally is yet to commit to her pledge of late last year to implement the key findings of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) report and protect the River Red Gums. The release of the Natural Resources Commission report into the River Red Gums prompted Greens MP Ian Cohen to refer Forestry Minister Ian Macdonald, and Forests NSW, to the Auditor General for their unsustainable management of the Red Gum forests.

“Now would be a good time for the Premier to show leadership and break with the State Labor Government’s mistakes of the past,” says Ian Cohen. “Minister Macdonald has previously claimed Forests NSW management of River Red Gums is consistent with world class environmental practice. It is inconceivable that logging - 70% beyond sustainable levels - in an internationally significant wetland meets such a standard.”

“There are very grave questions about the legality of River Red Gum logging operations by Forests NSW under both State and Federal environment laws. “

“Forest growth rates have been in decline due to the effects of reduced flooding on River Red Gum wetlands. Reduced flooding has resulted in major water stress and increased mortality in River Red Gum forests. Numerous studies of River Red Gum over the last seven years have recorded that more than 75% of trees are stressed or dying.”

“Forests NSW, with the blessing of Minister Macdonald, continued to log at a ‘business as usual’ rate in the face of an increasingly stressed system. Instead of independently assessing and restricting timber supply to sustainable levels, Forests NSW has severely damaged Red Gum systems to falsely inflate their bottom line and meet unsustainable demands.”

“The Auditor General can put a price tag on Forests NSW’s 20 years of unsustainable logging. Industry restructuring packages should take account of the need for Forests NSW and the Minister to make environmental reparations for their actions.”

“Premier Keneally could seize the opportunity and act to redress the damage of the past. It would deliver a win for the State’s environmental heritage to protect the River Red Gums in perpetuity.”

Lake Cargelligo lives: Greens MP thanks water allocating Premier - 22 February 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is today congratulating Premier Keneally for interceding in the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Committee and securing flows for Lake Cargelligo to fill the system back to 30% of capacity.

“The decision to start prioritising flows for the neglected wetland system at Lake Cargelligo is a great win for the local community, who have suffered at the hands of poor decision making,” says Mr Cohen.

“I have obtained the minutes of the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Committee under Freedom of Information and those minutes – which should be publicly available – raised a suspicion that critical human needs and the environment have not been prioritised.”

“The Advisory Committee at a meeting on the 25 August 2009 recommended that regulated flows from Wyangala would need to be restricted downstream of Lake Cargelligo in late October. At the next meeting on the 28th September 2009 the Committee had changed its recommendation to restricting flows at Condobolin. While Wyangala Dam did drop .5% in that month, it is clear the savings from restricting flows at Condobolin rather than Lake Cargelligo did not compensate the decline in Wyangala levels.”

“What is even more concerning is that the Advisory Committee recommended a 10% allocation for high security users because in the words of the Committee ‘the mines rely upon trading’ and ‘the available water for purchase would be high security’. The Committee also argued that Jemalong Irrigation be provided with a conveyance allowance of 1000ML so it can trade surface water (upstream only) to the mines and reduce the impacts on the groundwater Barrick Gold extracts from.”

“According to the Minister for Water and water trading data Barrick Gold has to date acquired approximately 17 percent of all high security water allocation for 2009/10. Maybe if the advisory committee had a representative from lower Lachlan water users in the same way Barrick Gold has a representative on the Committee, the Committee would have found a more equitable way to manage the severe water shortages.”

“While the intervention of the Premier is something that should be applauded there are clearly unresolved problems in how we manage water in times of extreme shortage and drought. I hope that the current NSW Inquiry into Water Management closely examines management in the Lachlan over the last 12 months and learns from the mistakes made. We need increased transparency and openness for critical water advisory committees and water trading markets to ensure fairness for all water users.”

Gran’s cut compromises childrens’ future - 10 February 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is calling on the Government to reconsider its plan to cut payments to grandparents and other kinship carers. 1700 letters have been sent out to grandparents and carers, telling them that the Supported Care Allowance they receive is to be re assessed.

“How is DOCS going to make reassessments? Out of home (foster) care allowances are not means tested so this raises the question; why means test grandparents who are often at the end of their working lives and not in a position to earn the large amounts of money now required to raise children?

“The Department says that resources must be focussed on the most vulnerable and those “most in need”. Does this mean that those most in need are not already receiving these resources? Cutting funds from Grandparent carers is a short-sighted, cost saving measure that robs vulnerable children.

“Funds committed to children to provide a stable home life are an investment in the future of the whole state. The Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW conducted by the Hon James Wood affirmed that, for all children, a stable home life is a vital factor in the development of productive, well-balanced citizens.

“Grandparents can be vulnerable due to their age and earning capacity and in these circumstances they need support to truly benefit the vulnerable children in their care.

“Foster carers are known to be in very short supply in NSW. Let us not place more stress on an already overworked system by panicking grandparents to opt out of care for their grandchildren because they can no longer afford to perform this vital community service.”

World Wetlands Day: an empty vessel without environmental flows - 2 February 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is calling on the NSW Government to revive the State’s most neglected wetlands on World Wetlands Day (2 February 2010) through better water management and more effective environmental flows.

“What better way to celebrate World Wetlands Day than renewing a commitment to some of the State’s most neglected wetlands. With harsh drought conditions and climate change threatening our treasured natural wetlands, the Keneally Government must take a more considered and proactive stance on wetland protection,” says Mr Cohen.

“During the last 4 months while the Lachlan River has been closed at Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo - an animal and bird sanctuary - has become a dust bowl harbouring the remains of thousands of dead fish.”

“While the drought may be beyond our control, better management of water resources on the Lachlan River could have mitigated the Lake Cargelligo fish kill. I will be making a submission to the current Natural Resource Management Committee Inquiry into Water Management in a hope that we can avoid the further destruction of wetland systems through better water management.”

“The internationally significant wetlands within the River Red Gums of the State’s south west are also in desperate need of a drink. The recent Natural Resources Commission report on the region stated that 1200 Gigaltires (GL) of environmental water flows will be required to bring the wetlands and forests back to health.”

“Successive State of the Environment reports have illustrated a serious decline in wetland health across the State. This isn’t surprising considering the Keneally Government’s predisposition to delivering water for industrial and extractive industry users without adequate consideration for adaptive environmental water needs.”

“A number of Catchment Management Authorities, local environmental groups and WetlandCare Australia are holding community information days and tours to celebrate World Wetlands Day which is fantastic. This community passion for our wetlands needs to be supported by sensible State Government water and environmental management.”

(Picture © Greg McInnes, Lake Cargelligo January 2010).

Clean Up report proves Container Deposit Scheme needed - 2 February 2010

The report from Clean Up Australia Day 2009 shows that six of the top ten items in the recovered rubbish were related to beverage containers, including bottle caps and glass pieces. Aluminium alcohol beverage cans rose from seventh to the third in the top ten list in this year’s report. These items made up 29.7% of the top ten items found in last year’s clean up.

“It’s disappointing that, after cigarette butts, glass alcohol bottles were the most common type of rubbish found, according to Clean Up Australia’s count. Container Deposit Legislation (CDL) would have saved these containers for recycling.” says Greens MLC, Ian Cohen.

“My Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Recovery) Bill was rejected by the NSW parliament last year, despite a clear community desire for a container deposit recycling scheme. A recent poll commissioned by Clean Up Australia found that 87% of Australians want a national container deposit refund scheme.

“NSW returned the highest number of surveys to Clean Up Australia Day, a reflection of how passionate people in this state are about a clean environment. I fear that the people of NSW will continue to see our parks and waterways littered with beverage containers, as long as the beverage and packaging industries continue to funnel huge donations to the major parties.

“Packaging industry self regulation has left NSW with recycling rates at around 40%. A CDL could enable the community to reach the 80% recycling rate they have in South Australia. Under the status quo, the results of the Clean Up Australia report are unlikely to see much change from year to year.

“If we had a container deposit scheme like South Australia has had for 34 years, we could expect local ratepayers to save close to $60 million per year in waste collection expenses. We could reduce the volume of litter in our parks, beaches and roadsides by 12-15%, increase Australia’s recycling by over 630,000 tonnes a year, divert 6% of all Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) waste away from landfill and reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking 140,000 cars off the road.

“The Clean Up Australia report shows the state government continues to be an environmental vandal when it comes to recycling,” says Ian Cohen.


http://iancohennsw.blogspot.com/2011/01/pushing-for-nsw-container-deposit.html

Unsustainable logging referred to NSW Auditor General - 27 January 2010

Greens MP Ian Cohen is referring Forestry Minister Ian Macdonald and Forests NSW to the Auditor General for their unsustainable management of the Riverina Red Gums.

“The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) report on the River Red Gums has provided the necessary research for the NSW Auditor General to seriously question the assertions of Minister Macdonald and Forests NSW,” says Mr Cohen.

“Minister Macdonald has previously claimed Forests NSW management of River Red Gums is consistent with world class environmental practice. I would question whether logging 70% beyond sustainable levels in an internationally significant wetland meets such a standard.”

“The report is a resounding indictment on Forests NSW’s management. The report clearly states, ‘forest growth rates have been in long-term decline but quotas have not been revised down’. In other words Forests NSW, with the blessing of Minister Macdonald, has continued to log at a ‘business as usual’ rate in the face of an increasingly stressed system.”

“Despite the thoroughly documented decline little has been done in the last two decades to reduce logging in the Murray and Mildura regions. The NRC predicts that logging will have to be reduced by up to 70% to achieve sustainable levels.”

“The NRC has blown the whistle on Minister Macdonald’s misleading spin on Red Gum logging. Instead of independently assessing and restricting timber supply to sustainable levels, Forests NSW has severely damaged Red Gum systems to falsely inflate their bottom line and meet unsustainable demands.”

“The failure of Forests NSW to develop sustainable logging levels over the last 20 years has led to the NSW people incurring a significant environmental debt. We need the Auditor General to put a price tag on Forests NSW’s 20 years of unsustainable logging. Industry restructuring packages should take account of the need for Forests NSW and the Minister to make environmental reparations for their actions.”

Surfing ‘near death accidents’ could be avoided - 12 January 2010

Greens MP and avid surfer Ian Cohen believes increased use of surfing helmets could prevent horrendous accidents similar to that of 10 year old Pascal Dattler in Byron Bay last week. Pascal’s skull was shattered in a surfing accident where the board of another surfer hit Pascal in the head. Ian, an experienced surfer of 40 years has been wearing a surfing helmet for the last decade.

“When we have accidents similar to Pascal’s we are reminded of the importance of protective helmets for surfers. Statistics show that 80% of injuries in surfing are head injuries. Helmets do not get in the way and are a distinct safety advantage with sunnies attached and a shell to protect the head,” says Mr Cohen.

“I have been surfing the iconic east coast surf spot, ‘The Pass’ at Byron Bay, since 1970. It can be a particularly dangerous spot with intense overcrowding in a narrow take off area. While crowd reduction is not possible, we can make the situation safer and avoid serious accidents by surfers using helmets.”

“I have a surfing helmet that I have used for years. Only last year my helmet saved my life. When I was surfing big ‘post cyclone’ waves at Byron Beach a gust of wind flicked my surfboard at my head smashing a massive hole in my Kevlar helmet. I have rarely surfed without a safety helmet since.”

“Surfing hire business should have comprehensive surfing safety information and helmets for hire with the boards. It is also a case of education and encouraging the wearing of surf helmets.”

“Surfing is like a last frontier without regulation. Surfers can be difficult to organise but we all have a responsibility to ourselves and others in the water. I would like to see surf helmets become a fashion and professional surfers have a role to play in leading the way. What other sport has participants in the blazing sun for hours without cover.”

“Surfing is my great love as it is to many thousands of others. It is a joyous way for kids to let off steam. Safety awareness should enhance the enjoyment and governments should investigate subsidising headware for the kids in the surf.”


Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466

Keneally Government on road to extinction as International Year of Biodiversity launched - 11 January 2010

With today’s official launching of the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations in Berlin, the Keneally Government should be outlining how it’s addressing declining biodiversity in NSW.

“The recent 2009 State of the Environment Report, a report card on the state’s environmental performance over the last three years, shows that the NSW Government is failing to stop biodiversity decline. Three of the four critical performance indictors for native fauna and flora show poor environmental health and systems under significant stress,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Of the 25% of the terrestrial native animals monitored in NSW for sustainability, 64% of fauna and 65% of birds species have a moderate or greater risk of extinction. This is only a sampling; if we assessed all species it is fair to assume that the potential extinction rate would be much higher. ”

“Species decline and biodiversity loss is significant in our inland river network with the State of the Environment Report describing them as in very poor health. We only need to look as far as Lake Cargelligo wetland and lake system, containing an animal and bird sanctuary and home to 165 bird species off the Lachlan River.”

“Notwithstanding the closure of the Lachlan River at Condobolin in October, State Water has still committed 8 ML per day to Lake Cargelligo, none of which is getting through to the Lake Cargelligo due to the State Government allowing Local Council to block the inlet.”

“The Keneally Government must commit now to an extensive national park system to protect our River Red Gums. As highlighted in the SOE Report 2009 only 1.8% of the Riverina Bioregion is represented in reserves. It’s the area where the most significant River Red Gums Forests are yet has the second lowest level of representation in national parks in all NSW.”

“The contribution by the Iemma/Rees/Keneally Governments to the national reserve system has increased our national parks and nature reserves by 3.5% or 236,346 ha. This pales in comparison to the contribution of former Premier Carr’s contribution (58% increase) and the contribution of the Greiner Liberal Government that increased the national reserve system by 7.2% during its term.”

“The Keneally Government needs to get real on biodiversity and face up to the threats from climate change to our bio-rich environment. Tinkering at the edges will not protect our important biodiversity heritage but will leave a legacy of environmental degradation.”


Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 (See High Res photos of Lake Cargelligo attached. Further photos available on request)

Best interests of the child overlooked in same-sex adoption ban - 11 January 2010

The decision by the NSW Government to not adopt the recommendations of a NSW Parliamentary enquiry into same-sex adoption ignores the best interests of children. Already in Australia, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia allow same-sex adoption.

“An Upper House inquiry last year concluded that the Adoption Act needs to be changed so that children can benefit from the best possible care that can be made available to them yet this Government will not undertake to follow the recommendations of the inquiry.

“Rather than provide for the needs of children first, the NSW Government is being intimidated by pressure groups and saying they represent ‘community attitudes’ by refusing to implement the recommended changes. It is the children who lose out.

“In most cases in local adoption it is foster parents who seek to adopt the children they have been caring for. The Department of Community Services advised the parliamentary committee that same-sex couples are helping meet the need for foster carers and are providing care very effectively. If children form a bond with these carers and the opportunity arises where adoption by the foster carers is possible, then there should be no impediment to that in the law if the child’s best interests are met, irrespective of the sexuality of the carers”

“If the children are being raised in a caring and stable home, then that is what is most important. All applicants for adoption should continue to be subject to the full range of assessment criteria, including the need to be approved as fit and proper people to adopt a child.

“In 2007-2008 there were 125 adoption orders finalised in NSW. Of those adoptions, 73 were intercountry and of the remaining 52 local adoptions, 15 were unknown and 37 were known – that is the child had an existing relationship with the prospective adoptive parents. These included 10 step-parents, 22 foster carers, three other relatives and two special case adoptions.

“Given the small numbers of adoptions undertaken in NSW it is not an onerous task for DoCs to maintain oversight of all adoptions in the state and to ensure that all adoptive parents are acting in a fit and proper way and that children are being well cared for.

“There are already many children living in families headed by same sex couples and research, including that presented to the inquiry and to the Victorian Law Reform Commission, shows that a parent’s sexuality is not a predictor of harm to children. When safe and loving homes can already be proven to be provided by same sex couples, as evidenced by DoCS, the Adoption Act should allow this to extend to adoption as being in the best interests of the child.”

Key NSW environmental report card paints concerning picture - 5 January 2010

On the eve of the holiday period the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water quietly published its environmental report card for the last 3 years, the 2009 State of the Environment Report.

“I am very surprised that this extremely important document which outlines our progress on restoring and enhancing our natural environment over the last 3 years was unaccompanied by any departmental or ministerial release,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“The Department and the Minister appear to be suggesting that we are ‘holding the line’ on the health of our natural environment’ in the face of population growth. I would suggest that the key report indicators show some concerning trends in our environment and that we are simply not facing up to the challenges of climate change.”

“The report shows the NSW Government is not reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is not on target with recycling rates commitments, has not complied with national air emission standards, is not effectively addressing biodiversity loss and is struggling with declining wetland health.”

Some of the key points drawn from the SOE Report 2009 included;

· Greenhouse Gases: In 1990, NSW emitted 160 Mt CO2-e (carbon dioxide equivalent/Greenhouse Gas). In 2007, NSW emitted 163 Mt CO2-e. The Report makes the argument that population growth and economic development are behind the stagnation in reducing emission levels, yet fails to acknowledge technological advances that should aid emission reduction.

To achieve the NSW State Government target of achieving 2000 level GHG emissions levels by 2025 (152 Mt CO2-e) NSW needs to reduce emissions by 16.3% from current levels (or 666,666 tonnes of CO2-e per year until 2025), which considering the current trends, appears unlikely.

Greenhouse gas emissions from stationary energy has increased by 33% between 1990 and 2007 (60 Mt to 79Mt) even though annual population growth has not exceeded 1.2% over the last 20 years.

· Climate Change: The annual average temperature rise in NSW was around 0.1°C per decade during 1950–80. From 1990 onwards it has been about 0.5°C per decade, a five-fold increase. Increases in temperature will have significant impacts on human health, particularly in relation to our aged citizens.

· Recycling and Waste Management: The 2006/07 municipal recycling rate for New South Wales was 38%, representing a 5% increase in municipal recycling over a 2 year period. At this rate NSW is not on track to achieve 2014 target of 66% recycling. For the Sydney region, 4.52 million tonnes of potentially recyclable waste went to landfill. Half of this waste going to landfill comes from the industrial and commercial stream, in particular food waste and products.

· Air Pollution: Ozone and Particles (PM10) concentrations appear to be on an upward trend with increasing exceedence of the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality Standards. Particles (PM2.5 and PM10) in non-urban areas have increased significantly (16% and 19% respectively). Nitrogen oxide emissions from industry in Sydney are up 49%.

· National Parks and Conservation: The report boasts that since 2006 the national reserve system has increased by 3.5% or grown by 236,346 ha. However this pales in comparison to the contribution of former Premier Carr’s contribution (58% increase) and the contribution of the Greiner Government that increased the national reserve system by 7.2%. Of note is that the Riverina Bioregion (where the most significant River Reg Gums Forests are) only has 1.8% of the total region represented in reserves.

· Cultural Heritage: While the area of lands with aboriginal cultural heritage items has increased to 2.3 million hectares, approaches to licensing destruction and damage of aboriginal places and areas is leaving cultural heritage without adequate protection.

· Soil Conservation and Land Degradation: While soil erosion levels are holding, organic carbon and soil structure are deteriorating at a time when there is increasing need for sustainable land management to underwrite food security.

· Water: Inland river health is significantly deteriorating with overall ecosystem health in NSW Murray–Darling Basin rivers been described as very poor and coastal rivers only having a fair rating. In terms of NSW wetlands, there is a general decline in the condition resulting from prolonged drought, catchment land-use changes, clearing and modified drainage patterns.

· Threatened Species: Of the 25% of the native terrestrial species monitored in NSW for sustainability, 64% of all fauna species that are assessable and 65% of birds have a moderate or greater risk of extinction.

Report calls on NSW Government to protect the River Red Gums - 21 December 2009

Greens MP Ian Cohen is urging Premier Keneally to accept the Natural Resource Commission’s recommendation of reserving 106,561 hectares of River Red Gum Forests.

“Protecting the River Red Gums is a key piece of the conservation puzzle and essential for NSW to achieve a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of national parks. Former Premier Nathan Rees had committed to protecting this national treasure that is under significant ecological stress. I think it is important for Premier Keneally to acknowledge the fundamental importance of establishing a national park system to protect this area for future generations,” says Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Implementing the Natural Resource Commission’s recommendations will require a multifaceted approach to delivering environmental water flows and ecologically effective conservation management. Increased environmental water flows down the Murray River to the tune of 1,200 GL per annum along side an end to unsustainable logging operations are central to the survival of the river red gums.”

“With the report come questions about Forests NSW’s management of River Red Gum State Forests. Contrary to claims of sustainable, world class logging operations by Minister Macdonald, the NRC found cut levels exceeding the sustainable harvest by 4 times.”

“The NRC’s Report is an unmistakeable vindication of allegations Minister Macdonald has supported illegal and unsustainable River Red Gum forestry operations. It paints comments by the NSW Department of Industry and Investment in September that ‘calls for national park tenure are based on pseudo science’ as nothing more than ideological bigotry.”

“While the recommendation of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) are a good first step to enhancing cultural ties with country, the NSW Government needs to consider a range of joint or co-management options to ensure indigenous nations have a role in the regeneration of this important landscape. From my discussions with Yorta Yorta I know there is an eagerness and commitment for increased management involvement.”

China/Australia – trade before human rights? - 10 December 2009

On International Human Rights Day Australia should reconsider its relationship with a country that is a notorious abuser of human rights. With reports from China that prisoners of conscience are being killed for their organs and ethnic groups such as Uighurs and Tibetans are being persecuted unjustly as ‘terrorists’, Australia must act to stop the abuses.

“ Credible reports from China, including from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, suggest that practitioners of the spiritual practice Falun Gong are being killed for their organs to be sold for transplants,” says Ian Cohen, Greens MLC.

“In the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) authorites have imprisoned without trial many Uighur people who protest the brutal suppression of their culture. They have closed down mosques, detained Islamic clergy, limited the use of the Uighur language and placed severe restrictions on freedom of religion and association.

“The Chinese arrest and arbitrarily detain thousands of Uighurs on charges of “terrorism, separatism and religious extremism” as a way to contain a population that never wanted to be part of China. In the last two months, 14 people have been executed in connection with the riots that erupted after a police crackdown on Uighur protesters in Xianjing in July.

“China’s appalling human rights abuses in Tibet are always aggressively denied. Pressure on foreign governments against the Dalai Lama’s visits is an indication of China’s aggressive and intolerant attitude toward its ethnic minority groups.

“Australian authorities are aware of the human rights abuses in China. The Dalai Lama visited last week and Nobel Peace Prize nominee and celebrated Uighur human rights activist Ms Rebiya Kadeer has visited Australia and given evidence of what is happening there.

There are many Australian residents who are Falun Gong practitioners and former Chinese citizens who fled persecution and have direct experience of the torture and abuse in the appalling labour camps where they experienced ‘re-education through labour’.

“I support the action of four Australian Falun Gong victims who are bringing lawsuits against high-ranking Chinese officials in the NSW Supreme Court. I hope it shows China that Australians are watching and that the rule of law does not tolerate human rights abuses.

”As a major trading partner, Australia is hesitant to raise human rights issues with the Chinese Government. Yet the Harper administration in Canada has made public criticisms of China on human rights and, on analysis, the trade relationship between the two nations remains unchanged. Trade interests should not be made more important than human rights abuses and the Canada example shows that we can talk about human rights and still do business.

“The bystanders of the Holocaust have been judged by history. Will Australia stand by and allow persecution, torture, concentration camps and murder for the ‘crime’ of practising a spiritual discipline or being from a different ethnic group?”