Monday, January 31, 2011

Iemma must match Bracks on renewable energy or he will become Australia’s direst power premier - Cohen - 3 November 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen has called on the NSW Premier to match the Victorian Government’s commitment to meet 10% of the state’s electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010.

“This is a very modest target that could be easily achieved. Beyond that we need a 20% by 2020 target,” Mr Cohen said.

“While some companies and consumers are doing their bit through Green Power electricity products, the NSW Government is not doing its bit to provide the incentives for renewables over coal.

“Without environmental action soon Mr Iemma risks looking like Australia’s dirtiest power premier: dependent on coal with no green credentials.

“In the lead up to the 2007 election the NSW community will be demanding that the Premier rule out any new coal fired power plants.

“The Victorian Government is estimating its renewable energy target will bring in $2 Billion worth of investment.

“Moving away from coal is not just critical for the planet’s future it’s the job rich alternative,” Mr Cohen said.

Reckless arrogance on desalination plant - 31 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says Energy and Utilities minister Carl Scully is being arrogant and reckless to proceed with trial desalination plants before the main Kurnell plant has been approved.

“Public submissions to the Federal Government about whether the desalination plant will undergo full environment assessment haven’t even closed,” Mr Cohen said.

“Mr Scully is ignoring all those residents and members of the public who are making submissions in good faith that their submissions will at least be considered.

“This is NSW Government arrogance of the worst order. These trial plants are not designed to actually test wheter we need a full desalination plant. Instead they are designed to railroad the main project through.

“We need a common sense, level headed approach to dealing with Sydney’s water needs. Spending $94M on these pilot desalination plants is reckless.

“Sydneysiders do not want to be lumped with this dirty, expensive, greenhouse-intensive option when our water needs can be meet through recycling, storm water use and demand management,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

GE deal sells out farmers - 27 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says that agriculture ministers meeting in Tasmania have sold out farmers that wish to remain GE free.

“Organic farmers wanting to produce GE free canola products are in real trouble,” Mr Cohen said.

“They are going to have to undergo expensive testing procedures to ensure their crops have not been contaminated.

“The Governments should have been trying to contain the contamination by ensuring next year’s seed stock was completely GE free.

“Instead the Federal and State Governments have legalized ongoing contamination.

“NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald should be ashamed that he has sold out NSW farmers.

“Many of those farmers rely upon the clean and green tag. GE contamination now poses a massive risk to their market advantage.

“The ministers should have agreed to bring in a strict liability scheme so that those companies producing the GE product compensate farmers for loss caused by any contamination of their GE free crop,” Mr Cohen said.


Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Ministers must protect farmers against GE contamination - 25 October 2005

“There is an emerging GE contamination crisis happening all over Australia,” Mr Cohen said.

“Crops are being destroyed, farmers are losing thousands of dollars and with canola currently flowering all over Australia, the contamination could get out of control.

“The Primary Industries Ministerial Council meeting tomorrow must take tough action to protect our farmers. The meeting should agree to begin immediate testing of canola around Australia to find out how far the contamination has spread.

“The ministers should also agree to bring in a strict liability scheme so that those companies producing the GE product compensate farmers for loss caused by any contamination of their GE free crop.

“NSW has been dragging its feet. I have been pursuing the NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald on the issue in parliament over recent weeks. In response to my questioning last week in parliament, the Minister said that the Ministerial Council would address the contamination issue.

“I hope he takes a new brief to the ministerial summit. If the Minister were to take strong action he would gain the support of a huge number of farmers.

“Many of our farm exports rely on the clean and green tag. GE contamination poses a massive risk to the market advantage Australian producers have over many of our competitors,” Mr Cohen said.

Cohen wins next round in defamation battle - 25 October 2005

The court has ruled that the jury’s verdict against one point Mr Bennette’s defamation action should stand.

Mr Bennette had appealed an earlier jury decision that had found Mr Cohen’s allegation - that the developer had done illegal work which severely damaged the environment - was not defamatory.

“This is a big loss for Mr Bennette. My lawyers have estimated that Mr Bennette could be up for approximately $50 000 to cover legal costs for this one appeal,” Mr Cohen said.

The rest of defamation case is expected to continue in court next year.

“My legal team is well prepared for the next round,” Mr Cohen said.

NSW flops on Green Power - 20 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says the NSW take up of Green Power has been a flop.

“While residents are trying to do their bit for the environment the Government is letting them down,” Mr Cohen said.

“Energy Minister Carl Scully has been as spruiking the NSW performance on Green Power when the state has been massively outperformed by Victoria and Queensland.

“NSW has 30% of Australia’s population yet we have only 17% of Green Power’s total customers.

“Victoria with 25% of the population has 30% of the Green Power’s customers. Queensland with just 19% of Australia’s population has a whopping 40% share.

“NSW’s two big interstate rivals are beating this state hands down. That should be a huge embarrassment to the Minister not a cause for celebration.

“My office has received anecdotal evidence of NSW residents finding it extremely difficult to connect to Green Power.

“Mr Scully must begin an immediate investigation into why so few residences in NSW are taking Green Power products.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Turning off blasting burglar alarms - 17 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says he is pleased that the NSW parliament may soon pass laws so that noisy home burglar alarms can be turned off.

“The Greens support these moves to confer powers on authorised officers to turn off or disable a building intruder alarm or vehicle alarm that has been sounding in breach of the law,” Mr Cohen said.

“Previously alarms were able to sound at all hours, and neither the police nor any other authority was able to do anything about it if the residents were not there.

“House alarms (installed after 1997) that emit noise for more than 5 minutes are in breach of the law as are car alarms (on post 1997 vehicles) that emit noise for more than 45 seconds.

“Action will now be able to be taken to put a stop to such alarms breaking these time limits.

“Residents frustrated at not being able to get a peaceful night may soon be able to sleep a little easier,” Mr Cohen said.

The proposed changes to the law are contained in amendments to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act are due to be debated in the NSW Legislative Council this week.

Southern NSW National Park bill falls well short - 12 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says the National Park Estate (Reservations) Bill 2005,:which creates new national park areas in Southern NSW, fails to deliver what the community needs.

The legislation is expected to pass the Upper House today.

“The legislation creates new national park areas in upper Deua, Monga, Murramarang but overall only 5530 hectares of additional forests are protected,” Mr Cohen said.

“The community wanted an initial 25 000 hectares of iconic forest protected. The Government has failed to deliver a bare 20% of this.

“What protection of forest has been granted has come at a very high price. The Government has said there will be no overall reduction in woodchip volumes. This means of course that the remaining unprotected native forest will be logged faster and more intensively.

“The new national park areas are a fraction of what is needed.

“If the Government really wanted to protect jobs and deliver good environmental outcomes it would close the Eden woodchip. The mill is driving the destruction of the native forests for a low value-jobs poor use of the timber,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Greens ensure elections for Aboriginal Land Councils - 12 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen said he expected the Legislative Council to back his Disallowance Motion in parliament today to prevent the State Government keeping Aboriginal Land Councils under administration for up to 5 years.

“Currently the Government can put Aboriginal Land Councils under administration, with no elections, for up to two years. The new government regulations allow Aboriginal Land councils to remain without an elected body for 5 years,” Mr Cohen said.

“This is just too long. I am pleased the Opposition and the cross-bench are likely to support my Disallowance Motion to ensure Indigenous democracy has a chance to work.

“Aboriginal Land councils perform a vital role. With the abolishment of ATSIC they are the only elected Indigenous officials in the country.

“The Government’s approach to this issue is paternalistic and short-sighted. For Aboriginal communities to thrive into the future they must be empowered to make their own decisions from their own representatives,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Howard Government backs Greens move against desalination plant - 11 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen said he was pleased that his motion on the proposed desalination plant was backed by the Federal Government in the Senate this afternoon.

“I have introduced the same motion into the Legislative Council. I hope that it will also pass,” Mr Cohen said.

“The motion is critical of the NSW government’s rush to proceed with the desalination plant at Kurnell without proper environmental assessment.

“Pressure is mounting on the Iemma Government for it to undertake a rigorous environmental assessment of the desalination plant proposal.

“For the NSW Government to be outperformed on the environment on this issue by John Howard isn’t just embarrassing for the Premier, it’s blight on the whole state”.

The motion (moved by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle) passed by the Senate and introduced into the Legislative Council this afternoon reads:

a) congratulates the federal government for extending the time for submissions on whether the proposed NSW desalination plant on the Kurnell peninsula requires full assessment under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act; and

b) notes that the federal government will consider the public submissions in determining whether the proposed NSW desalination plant on the Kurnell peninsula requires full assessment and approval under the Environment Protection Biodiversity and Conservation Act.

c) Calls on the NSW Government to ensure that proper and thorough environmental assessments are undertaken on the proposal before construction proceeds.

“For the government to proceed with this dirty, expensive, greenhouse intensive, locally unpopular plant is reckless when Sydney’s water needs can be meet through recycling, storm water use and demand management,” Mr Cohen said.

Biodiesel for Sydney’s ferries - 26 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen today called on the Iemma Government to fulfil its commitment to use biodiesel fuel on Sydney ferries.

“In 2004 Premier Carr promised that a trial of biodiesel would begin on Sydney ferries, but nothing has happened.

“With so much focus on higher fuel prices and the need for alternative fuels I can’t believe there has been no action from the state government on this,” Mr Cohen said.

“Biodiesel would also be great for Sydney Harbour. Leaks and spills of the biodegradable biodisel fuel would be so much less damaging than the currently used petrochemical product.

At the NSW Clean Air Summit in November 2004 Premier Carr said:

The use of diesel fuel is, of course, not restricted to our roads. I’m pleased to announce an initiative that would result in a cleaner public transport system—a trial of biodiesel fuel on Sydney Ferries.

Biodiesel is a renewable bio-based fuel that is biodegradable and non-toxic. Sydney Ferries Corporation is talking to the biodiesel industry to finalise details prior to commencing a trial on selected vessels.

“Almost a year on the Government has not moved. I urge Premier Iemma to keep his government’s promises and to start backing biodiesel,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Cohen returns to site of his first environmental action - 23 September 2005

Protesters thanked for saving NSW beaches from sand mining

This Saturday September 24th at 12 noon Greens MLC Ian Cohen will attend the 25th anniversary of the protest to stop sandmining at Middle Head beach on the NSW north coast.

“This was the site of my first environmental protest action – the forerunner of so many more to come,” Mr Cohen said.

“While that individual protest battle was over-run by the police that day 25 years ago, we would eventually win the war to get sand mining off many beaches in NSW.

“Today, families up and down the coast, preparing for a weekend trip to the beach, would be horrified to think that their favourite spot could be sand mined.

“But just 25 years ago it was happening everywhere. It just goes to show how important forward thinking, positive protest action can be for all of us,” Mr Cohen said.

Sydney needs to be full of sustainable development -Sartor must keep the green zones - 22 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen today called on Planning minister Frank Sartor to reconsider his plans to abandon Sydney’s green zone.

“Now more than ever Sydney needs its green zones. These areas don’t just provide the city with fresh local produce but they are also part of the city’s lungs. They are an essential ‘greenprint’ that helps ensure quality of life in Western Sydney.

“The green overlay zone provides a great green buffer helping Sydney to avoid becoming one massive concrete developers’ playground,” Mr Cohen said.

“Sydney is only full because of this government’s policies. The city’s environmental infrastructure is cracking. The continual under-investment in public transport and modern water use and recycling options is putting an impossible burden on our great city.

“It’s time for a rethink from the minister. For him to plough ahead, for example, with the Bringelly release in Sydney’s south west is crazy when Sydney’s physical and natural infrastructure is under such pressure.

“I urge Mr Sartor to act not for the developers but fore future generations of Sydney-siders who will thank him if he keeps Sydney’s green zones forever,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095

Greens Optimistic on blue gum high forest - 21 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says he is growing increasingly optimistic that the blue gum high forest on Rosedale St Pymble will be permanently protected.

“I pressured the minister and the department on the issue in the Legislative Council Budget estimates committee and I was pleasantly surprised by the response,” Mr Cohen said.

“Under my questioning the Government acknowledged that it was a very important piece of land and that they were at present negotiating with the State Rail Authority on the issue.

During the estimates committee the Director General of the Environment and Protection and Regulation Division from the Department of Conservation went on to say:

‘ I think it is quite likely that we will see, as a result of various negotiations going on, that there may be an eventual securing of the land into a conservation area.’

”To me, this sounds like an impending win for the community,” Mr Cohen said.

“The community deserves to have this critically endangered habitat protected forever. Blue gum high forest is officially listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. I encourage the NSW Government to do all they can to get behind the plans to buy this remaining parcel of private land,” Mr Cohen said.

Desalination dinosaur - 20 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen today warned that the Iemma Government would face a sustained campaign from locals and environmentalists against the desalination plant planned for Kurnell.

“A desalination plant smacks of yesterday’s thinking. It is an old guard big fix engineering solution instead of the modern innovation that Sydney needs,” Mr Cohen said.

“The community will not stand for Iemma’s dinosaur solution for Sydney’s water needs.

“Demand management, water recycling are the solutions that Sydney is crying out for.

“With so much of Sydney’s water going through homes un-metered it is simply reckless for the Premier to forge ahead with the desalination plant.

“The greenhouse ramifications of desalination are enormous yet not a word on the topic was mentioned in today’s media release announcing the plant’s site and preferred tenderers.

“Climate change is causing evermore severe droughts and water shortages such as Sydney is experiencing. Even a school child can see that building a electricity guzzling, greenhouse gas emitting desalination plant is no solution at all,” Mr Cohen said.

Labor and Coalition block Greens plan to give young people the vote - 15 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen’s legislation to give 16 and 17 year olds the right to was voted down when the major parties joined together in the NSW Legislative Council.

“My private member’s bill would have given all 16 and 17 year olds the option of voting in state elections,” Mr Cohen said.

“Lowering the voting age is about giving young people responsibility. It’s about empowering them to be fully active citizens.

“Young people work, study, join the navy and pay taxes. They should also have the right to vote.

“Despite the defeat of the private member’s bill the Greens will pursue the plan at national and state level.

“This is ground breaking, forward thinking legislation. It charts a better course for young people’s engagement in society,” Mr Cohen said.

Iemma must fix Greenhouse sham - 14 September 2005

Today’s revelations about the NSW Government’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme shows that the program is a sham, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

”Premier Morris Iemma must move immediately to fix the scheme by removing the ability for pre-existing projects to create credits and stopping interstate transfers,” Mr Cohen said.

“Allowing NSW energy retailers to buy credits from interstate is proving to be a disaster.

“NSW taxpayers are effectively subsidising the dirtiest coal fired power plant in the developed world – the Hazelwood power station in Victoria.

“The government should also move to stop any projects that pre-date the scheme from being able to generate greenhouse gas reduction credits.

“We currently have the absurd situation where some businesses are being rewarded for doing nothing more than continuing projects that started before the greenhouse gas abatement scheme was introduced.

“In addition, the scheme is currently lopsided - providing credits for those that are better than average, but no disincentive for the most polluting technologies.

“While he's fixing the other deficiencies, the Premier must also ensure that the dirtiest generators do not get off scot free. Unless he does so and the true cost of their environmental destruction is recognised, new coal fired power stations will continue to be built in NSW - to the detriment of future generations.

“Today’s revelations fulfil previous Greens predictions that carbon trading would be a cover up for dirty polluting industries to continue business as usual.

“Unless Iemma acts immediately, any environmental reputation that NSW has left will evaporate. Unlike his predecessor, Bob Carr, the current Premier does not even seem to understand this central green issue,” Mr Cohen said.

Greens welcome GM moratorium extension but urge action and openness on contamination - 14 September 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen today welcomed the government’s decision to extend the moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops in NSW.

”Congratulation to Minister Ian Macdonald for listening to the people of NSW who overwhelmingly want GE free food and crops,” Mr Cohen said.

“The legislation to extend the moratorium must not be watered down to allow any ‘threshold’ level of contamination.

“The Minister now needs to back up his move with real action to stop contamination of GM free crops.

“Without action from the minister on this front GM free farmers face considerable commercial risk.

“The Minister should come clean on any contamination that may have already occurred in NSW and whether any crops which are part of the National Variety Trials have recently had to be destroyed.

“Any testing, contamination and clean costs must not paid for by the farmers who are doing the right thing. The NSW Government should be pushing for a national framework on liability to ensure that GM contamination costs are borne by the GM industry. Government must move quickly to ensure farmers are not out of pocket.

“The organic and GM free markets are booming both locally and in terms of exports.

“Recent contamination scares in WA and Victoria and South Australia mean that NSW is under real threat.

“Yesterday in question time I urged the minister to immediately begin independent testing of the state’s canola crops to ensure that any contamination is constrained. Mr Macdonald said he would be leaving testing to industry – this is just not good enough,” Mr Cohen said.

Time to Get Smart on Water - 19 August 2005

Now is the time to get serious about water security and put in place infrastructure for water recycling in Sydney, said Greens MLC Ian Cohen today, noting that Sydney Water had admitted a desalination plant was now considered an emergency fall-back position.


“The Government has argued against recycling as a solution to Sydney’s water shortages on the basis that it would take 3 to 4 years to put in place. We have known about the potential for drought and water shortages for decades. It’s time for the Government to stop sitting on its hands. If we start putting water recycling facilities in place now, we won’t have to fall back on the last resort of desalination in the future” Mr Cohen said.


“Tens of millions of litres of stormwater and of wastewater in sewage are there to be harvested but it will continue to simply drain and pollute unless the Iemma Government makes the hard decisions that are necessary.


“A desalination plant producing 500 million litres of fresh water a day would create more than 1.25 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions each year. Unless the NSW Government can find clean, renewable energy to run such a plant, this would be the equivalent of putting 250,000 new cars on the road each year.”


Mr Cohen said step-pricing, minimum performance standards for water appliances and permanent low-level water restrictions would not only produce no greenhouse gases but would save more water than a desalination plant would create.


“It’s time for the Iemma Government to get smart on Sydney’s water future. Start laying the groundwork for water recycling and efficiency, and consign the desalination plant to the salty grave where it belongs” said Mr Cohen.

No Action on Illegal Landclearing - 18 August 2005

The NSW Government’s failure to address illegal clearing continues to undermine the majority of farmers in NSW who manage their land responsibly, said Greens MLC Ian Cohen today.


Answers received to questions put on notice by Mr Cohen in Parliament show that illegal clearing is going unchallenged.


“It is completely unfair that while most farmers play by the rules, others are getting away with clearing native vegetation and destroying habitats without any repercussions. The failure of the Government to prosecute cases of illegal clearing sends out the message that it is okay to destroy our natural resources” Mr Cohen said.


In response to Mr Cohen’s questions, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources revealed that of the 866 alleged breach notifications between July 2003 and July 2005, 310 were finalised, requiring no further action, while 461 were investigated and resolved. However, information received since the answers became available begs the question “Is it true that there has only been one prosecution of the 461 breaches?” said Mr Cohen.


With the portfolios of Planning, Infrastructure and Natural Resources now being split up, Mr Cohen urged the successors of DIPNR to be tough on those who breach native vegetation laws.


“Land clearing is not just responsible for the destruction of habitat of wildlife, including threatened species. It also generates as much as 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year in NSW.


“The Government needs to stand firm and let perpetrators know that illegal clearing of native vegetation will not be tolerated, and that it will not simply be met with a letter or a slap on the wrist” said Mr Cohen.

Environment must take priority at exclusive resort - 22 June 2005

Secrecy surrounding plans for an exclusive tourist resort and wildlife sanctuary in the Wolgan Valley near Lithgow has increased community suspicion about the potential for environmental damage to sensitive wilderness areas nearby, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“An exclusive resort with plans to helicopter in wealthy tourists to a place that is fenced off and stocked with native animals from other parts of Australia sets off all sorts of alarm bells.

“Done well, an ‘eco-style resort’ could bring great benefits to the area and the local economy, but planning one in secrecy doesn’t send a positive message to the community or to environment groups.

“So far, details of the development such as constructing multiple swimming pools raise significant concerns about where the water to fill them would come from in a drought-affected, water-restricted area.”

Mr Cohen said important environmental assessments of the proposal could now be bypassed because the NSW Government has decided it is a state significant development.

“The NSW Government today outed itself as a cheerleader of the proposal and this is the same government that recently gave itself the power to grant major developments exemptions from environment planning laws. What chance is there of important environment safeguards being respected?”

Mr Cohen said he encouraged Emirates, the proponents of the resort, to “make up for lost time” by now consulting closely with members of the local community and environment experts involved in conservation in the Blue Mountains to ensure the resort produced a win/win for the environment and the local economy.

“The Greens will look for a commitment by the developer to involve the local community and return benefits to it.

“It will be vitally important that this development doesn't simply shut itself off from its surrounds, import its labour and materials and deny local communities much needed employment and ongoing business connections.

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Lowering voting age to 16 would end scapegoating - 21 June 2005

Lowering the voting age in NSW from 18 to 16 would force law makers to listen to young people about key issues affecting their lives and help stop a trend towards scapegoating youth for a range of social problems, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Mr Cohen introduced a Private Members Bill into NSW Parliament today to qualify 16 year-olds to vote but not make it compulsory until the current age of 18.

“If young people were given some power to be involved in decisions made about them, better laws would result.

“This might just help reduce some of the alienation, which the political exclusion of young people currently causes. Giving youth a voice would help end misconceptions that social problems, such as drug use and crime, are somehow their fault.

“It seems absurd that in this country a person cannot vote until they are 18 but at 16 they can leave school and home, learn to drive, take up full-time work, pay tax, have children, defend and die for their country.”

Mr Cohen said arguments from opponents, such as young people do not have enough knowledge or understanding of politics, were baseless.

“The arguments against young people voting are the same arguments that were used in the past to justify why women and indigenous people should not have the right to vote.

“Just as these arguments are not about the ability of a particular gender or race of people, they are not particular to 16-year-olds.”

Mr Cohen said a trend towards lowering the voting age was occurring in other states and countries.

“In Canada, a similar move to lower the voting age to 16 has received multi-partisan support and seems likely to happen. 16 year-olds can vote in Cyprus and Brazil, while in Scotland and Germany they can vote in municipal and community council elections.”

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Costa labels Pacific Highway upgrade concerns “stunts” - 10 June 2005

NSW Roads Minister Michael Costa has refused requests to meet with residents affected by his decision to expand the study area for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale section of the Pacific Highway upgrade project. Instead he has labelled residents concerns “stunts”.

Greens MLC Ian Cohen asked Mr Costa in Parliament yesterday to travel to the affected areas and hear of the “fear, insecurity and depression” generated by the RTA’s expanded study areas of the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale, Ballina to Woodburn, and Ulmarra to Grafton sections of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

“Michael Costa arrogantly dismissed a legitimate request and chose instead to rubbish the message I had been asked by local residents to deliver to him.

“Residents in the affected areas can rightly feel offended by a Minister who is unaccountable and unrepresentative of public opinion on this issue.”

Mr Cohen has now written to Mr Costa to again request he meet and listen to the concerns of local residents.

“There is enormous concern among residents that the RTA has failed to consult properly but so far Michael Costa has ignored the sentiments being expressed at community meetings throughout the affected areas.

“I will continue to request him directly to come and meet with residents. This is not an issue the RTA or the Minister can afford to simply ignore or pretend to have properly consulted on.

“The next state election is less than two years away and north coast seats are among the most marginal for the government. Stuff ups like this Pacific Highway upgrade will not be forgotten by voters in those seats.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Carr admits nuclear energy not possible in NSW - 7 June 2005

Premier Bob Carr must now withdraw his call for a debate on nuclear energy following his admission today that nuclear industry is outlawed in NSW, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said.

“The Premier’s diversion tactics in calling for a debate on nuclear energy have been laid bare and he has had to concede that laws set up in 1986 outlaw any type of nuclear industry, including mining uranium, building a nuclear waste dump and a nuclear power station.

“The Premier must now withdraw his call for a debate on nuclear energy because it cannot ever happen in NSW.”

The Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Act 1986 prohibits anyone to “construct or operate, or to approve or permit the construction or operation of, a nuclear reactor for the purpose of generating electricity or any other form of energy.”

“Debate on the merits of nuclear power ended in 1986 when a reactor at the Chernobyl Power Station exploded, exposing the region to radiation levels 100 times greater than the Hiroshima bomb,” Mr Cohen said.

“Nuclear power leaves a toxic legacy to all future generations, because it produces global warming gases, because it is far more expensive than any other form of electricity generation, because it can trigger proliferation of nuclear weapons, and because when accidents do and have happened, people die.”

Mr Cohen, who was a member of a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry on Transport and Storage of Nuclear Waste last year, said the Carr Government has failed to act on key Inquiry recommendations.

“The Inquiry’s final report called on the Carr Government to legislate against transport and storage of radioactive waste in NSW. The Premier, however, has failed to act, despite the inquiry report being tabled more than a 12 months ago.

“The only reason the Federal Government is now considering NSW is because South Australia was successful last year with legislation and a High Court challenge to ban both a waste dump and road transport of nuclear waste.

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Nuclear energy a threat to climate and communities - 3 June 2005

Attending a public forum on climate change in Lismore today, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said Premier Bob Carr’s call for a debate on nuclear energy is “mad, bad and dangerous.”

“Nuclear energy is not clean, it is not safe and is possibly more dangerous than coal-fired power as recent nuclear disasters have shown.”

Mr Cohen said north coast communities had enough to deal with without worrying about Bob Carr overturning current laws that ban nuclear energy in NSW.

“Debate on the merits of nuclear power ended in 1986 when nuclear energy is NSW was outlawed. It was also the same year a reactor at the Chernobyl Power Station exploded, exposing the region to radiation levels 100 times greater than the Hiroshima bomb.”

“Communities on the north coast of NSW will have to deal with the impacts of rising sea levels and storm surges along the full length of the coast. Because there is a narrow continental shelf limit along the NSW coast, large wind-driven waves may have a significant impact in the future.”

Mr Cohen, who was a member of a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry on transport and storage of nuclear waste last year, said the Premier has forgotten about the level of community opposition to nuclear power and its dangerous waste.

“A key recommendation out of the NSW inquiry called on the Carr Government to legislate against any planned federal transport of radioactive waste and to clearly indicate its opposition to any planned nuclear waste facility in NSW. The same level of feeling exists toward nuclear power. It is simply not wanted.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Greed harms Brigalow balance - 2 June 2005

Conceding 15,000 hectares of woodland to commercial interests in the Brigalow Belt undermines the balance struck last month between environmental and community needs, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The government has caved in to a noisy minority, despite the fact there is an $80 million package that protects jobs if workers want them and new timber supply contracts if the owners of mills want them.

“There had been an important balance struck between conservation and industry last month on the future of the Brigalow Belt, but the greed of some now risks creating inequality for others.

“Communities around the Brigalow will gain $15 million in incentives for industry to invest in value adding, new timber products and export markets, $12 million to employ up to 50 workers in major white cypress thinning programs, and $29 million to employ 69 workers to manage new conservation areas.

“Protecting the environment does make economic sense. New jobs are on offer, new industry is being created and there is a bright future for tourism in the region as a result of this decision but that has been undermined by concessions to a greedy minority.”


Further information: Paul Sheridan, ph: 0410 516 656.

Too little, almost too late: ideas go missing to save water - 31 May 2005

Water restrictions announced today should have been in place 10 months ago when dam levels reached 45 per cent capacity and the government has been too slow in realising people want ideas for saving water, not just restrictions, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The Government made it clear today it is afraid to make the decisions necessary to reduce Sydney’s thirst for water.

“Hand-held watering should have been restricted to only two days each week in August last year, as it has been clear for a long time that dams levels were falling at an alarming rate. A quarter of all household water use happens in the garden and people are clearly prepared to do more with less.”

Mr Cohen said the government had made little effort to inspire people with ideas for reusing and recycling the water they use at home.

“People feel like they are making a difference if they believe they can solve a problem. Apart from a few websites, where is the effort to inspire people with the easy-to-do ideas they can save water with?”

Taking shorter showers, only using a washing machine when its full, not leaving the tap running when cleaning teeth, using only the half flush on toilets, putting a brick in the toilet cistern, heavily discounted native plants that need little water, and leaving a bucket in the shower while running for use on the garden are all simple ideas not being promoted heavily enough, Mr Cohen said.

“Sydney could have a sustainable water supply but that would require much greater effort to conserve and recycle water than this government has so far made.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Cutting flows to Hawkesbury-Nepean River risks its future - 31 May 2005

A 50 per cent cut to environmental flows to the Hawkesbury-Nepean River will cause permanent damage and even the death of the river system, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The Carr Government has today sentenced the Hawkesbury-Nepean River to a slow and ugly death.

“The Hawkesbury-Nepean system is already so choked with sewage and weeds that you can almost walk over it. Reducing environmental flows risks killing the river altogether.

“The Carr Government is panicking. The public has lost faith in its ability to deal with this crisis because it has failed to act on the obvious and harvest stormwater and pursue greater recycling of water.”

More than 450 gigalitres of wastewater flows into the ocean each year, almost as much water as Sydneysiders consume each year. So far, only 11 gigalitres of this is recycled each year.

Mr Cohen said the frequency and size of harmful algal blooms would increase unless environmental flows are improved in the Hawkesbury-Nepean system.

“The government now risks killing an iconic river in a desperate and chaotic attempt to halt further drops in dam levels,” Mr Cohen said.

“The Hawkesbury-Nepean River Management Forum only a year ago reported what many already know: there will be no future for our rivers unless we let them flow.

The impact on communities and industry would be devastating, Mr Cohen said, if the river’s health declined further.

“The Hawkesbury–Nepean River helps generate 70 percent of the goods and services produced in NSW.

“Oyster farmers, prawn fishermen and all other farmers along the river face a bleak future.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Desalination a greenhouse nightmare - 29 May 2005

Desalination to need massive tree planting back up

A forest almost eight times the size of Royal National Park would need to be planted to absorb the greenhouse gases a $2 billion desalination plant for Sydney would generate, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“A desalination plant producing 500 million litres of fresh water a day would create more than 1.25 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions each year. Unless the NSW Government can find clean, renewable energy to run such a plant, this would be the equivalent of putting 250,000 new cars on the road each year.”

Mr Cohen said planting trees to offset the greenhouse emissions would be a daunting task.

“A hectare of trees can absorb 11 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, meaning a forest almost two-thirds the size of Sydney or eight times the size of Royal National Park would need to be planted.”

Mr Cohen said step-pricing, minimum performance standards for water appliances and permanent low-level water restrictions would not only produce no greenhouse gases but would save more water than a desalination plant would create.

“Figures given to the Government during the preparation of its water policy last year showed that water saving initiatives would save 58 billion litres of water a year by 2029, significantly more than the amount produced by a desalination plant.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Toxic clean up cost must now involve former owner ICI - 26 May 2005

The NSW Government must now consider legal action against the former parent company of Orica if the huge cost involved in cleaning up extensive land and water contamination at sites across Sydney and Port Kembla are to be met, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“Land contamination law in NSW applies the polluter pays principle, so even if ICI is no longer the majority owner of Orica, it is still responsible for any contamination that occurred at its Port Botany, Villawood and Port Kembla sites when it was,” Mr Cohen said.

In 1997, after 69 years of involvement in Australia, ICI Plc divested its 62.4 per cent shareholding in ICI Australia (now Orica).

“Protecting public health is critical. We cannot afford to wait until people to die before there is action to force a company to clean up its pollution.

The Contaminated Land Management Act establishes a hierarchy of people who the Environment Protection Authority may order to carry out clean up work.

“The clean up cost at Botany alone could easily be more than the $167 million Orica has so far committed. But, now that action has finally been taken at Villawood and Port Kembla, consideration of how to fund the enormous clean up costs must now include ICI’s legacy in Australia,” Mr Cohen said.

The ICI Group is a huge international business, employing more than 33,000 people worldwide and with (2004) sales touching $13.7 billon.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Budget ignores Sydney’s water future - 24 May 2005

The Carr Government’s 11th state budget represents another wasted opportunity to take the urgent steps necessary to reduce Sydney’s water use or to announce any initiatives to recycle the massive amounts of wastewater being dumped at sea, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The ‘build it and it will come’ approach by the Carr Government to solving Sydney’s water crisis has again ignored the solutions to overuse and dwindling supplies. A huge infrastructure spending program will not solve our water woes.”

“Hundreds of millions of litres of stormwater and wastewater is there to be harvested but it will continue to simply drain away because the Carr Government has chosen to pursue options that clearly will not work unless it rains.”

Mr Cohen said water saving initiatives - such as recycling stormwater and sewage, more efficient toilets and permanent low-level water restrictions - would save more water than the Carr Government’s spending on deep water storages and reservoir upgrades can hope to produce.

“Sydney Water discharges more than 450 gigalitres of wastewater each year, almost as much water as Sydneysiders consume each year. So far, only 11 gigalitres of this is recycled.”

“Sydney’s water future will not be saved simply by spending more money sinking new bores, deepwater pumping and building new pipes to the Shoalhaven River.

“Sydney could have a sustainable water supply but that would require much greater effort to conserve and recycle water than this government has so far made.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Carr chooses to blacken the air - 23 May 2005

Choosing to expand coal-fired power in NSW will blacken not just the Premier’s environmental achievements but the state’s greenhouse commitments as well, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The Carr Government is choosing to walk away from encouraging investment in a clean energy future for NSW and instead chosen to plunge the state into a future black with polluting coal,” Mr Cohen said.

“The Premier risks becoming part of the problem on global warming, not the cure. He has the ability, and options available, to not expand the coal-fired power sector but instead appears to be throwing his hands in the air as if it’s all too hard.

“Coal power is out of date and out of step with the future of this state and planet.

“It is possible to deal with both climate change and our energy infrastructure problems by adopting a mandatory renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020, together with strong energy efficiency programs. This would create jobs and investment and be far cheaper than building new coal plants.”

Premier Carr is a member of the International Climate Change Taskforce, which has set a target of 25 per cent clean, renewable energy by 2025 and highlighted the need to keep temperature rises below 2C to avoid dangerous climate change.

“The Premier’s Greenhouse Advisory Panel has recommended that NSW should adopt strong energy efficiency and demand management measures as building more coal plants is incompatible with reducing greenhouse emissions.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

NSW Government loses the plot over BASIX - 19 May 2005

The NSW Government has caved in to pressure from developers and again failed to take climate change seriously by reducing targets for greater water efficiency in new homes in regional areas, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Mr Cohen said the government’s rationale today that because Bondi received more rain than Leeton, regional NSW should therefore not have to aim to conserve as much water was evidence of its complete lack of understanding of the state’s water crisis.

“If a regional centre such as Leeton, or Bourke, receives less rain than Bondi then it is vital that residents save as much water as possible. Regional communities have had to be frugal with their water use, but this decision will undo much of the hard work already done.

“The NSW Government has yet again failed to take the steps necessary to deal with climate change - now and into the future. It is failing to do so in Sydney and now it is repeating its failures in regional areas.

“Reducing the target for water efficiency in a new home from 40 per cent to 20 per cent completely ignores the stress on water supplies the current drought is having. The decision also fails to take into account the likely impacts of climate change in the future in regional NSW.”

BASIX, the new Building Sustainability Index due to start on July 1, will now be more limited in the environmental benefits it can produce and will prevent building owners from saving money on day-to-day costs, Mr Cohen said.

“Building design that makes use of ‘grey water’ from washing machines for garden use will lower the cost of piped water. But the incentive to do this has now been largely removed.”



Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

New study finds Murray Red Gums dying fast - 14 April 2005

Logging of Australia’s largest Red Gum forests along the Murray River is killing the trees at a rate faster than plans for restoring the river system can reverse, the results of a new three-state study show.

“The number of dead or dying Red Gums along the Murray has increased from 51 per cent to more than 75 per cent in just two years,” Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

The study “Survey of River Red Gum and Black Box Health Along the River Murray in NSW, Victoria and South Australia – 2004” was commissioned by each state’s agency for water and natural resources and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and released today.

“The study concludes that its real value lies in being able to show a significant change in tree health over a short period of time. The $500 million promised to restore the Murray will cause flooding on a barren plain unless they are protected from ongoing logging.”

Mr Cohen said new national parks along the Murray are vital if forests such as the Barmah-Millewa Forest, which covers an area of 60,000 hectares is the largest River Red Gum forest in Australia, are to survive.

“The forests are significant for their ecological, recreational, tourist, scientific, educational, cultural, scenic and aesthetic values and are particularly valuable for breeding waterbirds and the threatened Superb Parrot.

“Logging is destroying these icons but it is going to take action in both NSW and Victoria to halt the decline. The protection afforded by a national park would preserve the forests but still allow everyone to enjoy them.”

Increased irrigation activity and diversion of river flows have also had a huge impact on the forests, which rely on flooding to revive.

Long duration flood events in the Barmah-Millewa Forest (that is, four months duration, with greater than 500 GL volume) now occur on average in 22 per cent of years, rather than in 62 per cent of years under natural conditions. Periods between these floods have also increased. Under natural conditions, the maximum period was five years, while under ‘current’ conditions, dry periods of up to 14 years occur.

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Delays to BASIX hurting owners’ hip pockets - 12 April 2005

Delays to the introduction of BASIX, the Building Sustainability Index, is preventing building owners from saving money on day-to-day costs and increasing environmental damage, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

He said calls by the Housing Industry Association (HIA) to further delay the introduction of BASIX in regional areas of NSW were unnecessary stalling tactics.

“Further delays to the introduction of BASIX don’t just postpone the significant energy and water savings that will result from more efficient building design. BASIX will reduce day-to-day costs for building owners and they are the ones missing out because of delays.

“Building design that makes better use of natural sunlight and reduces internal heat transfer will lower air conditioning costs. Design that makes use of ‘grey water’ from washing machines for garden use will lower the cost of piped water.

“There has already been a delay in BASIX start date but any further delay is unnecessary as industry has had more than a year to come to terms with it.”

Mr Cohen said the HIA was using curious logic to argue that BASIX was not applicable in some areas of the state and should therefore be reviewed.

“To argue that because Wagga doesn’t have water restrictions building design should not include water tanks is short-sighted at best.

“Water tanks reduce pressure on clean water supplies as they can be used for watering gardens and even running washing machines and dishwashers.

“If the HIA is arguing that because something is not being forced no effort should be made, then steps should be taken to ensure future voluntary initiatives are bypassed and forced regulation become the first option.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

NSW environment funding increase now critical - 11 April 2005

Funding for the environment must be increased in NSW Treasurer Andrew Refshauge’s first budget if many community and environment groups are to have any chance of survival, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The Federal Government has today slashed funding for the hundreds of community and environment groups in NSW and other states that represent not just the coal-face of conservation but the basic freedom to lobby and criticise government as well.

“The past two state budgets have cut funding for the environment but this must be reversed if programs to improve environmental health are to continue and grants for community and environment groups boosted to help them stay alive.”

$30 million was cut from the Department of Environment and Conservation’s (DEC) budget in 2004/2005 and followed on from a $47 million budget cut in 2003/2004.

Funding for the NSW Environmental Trust, a statutory authority administered by DEC, must receive additional funds if many environment and community groups are to survive, Mr Cohen said.

“The Treasurer has the discretionary power to boost the Trust’s grants funding and this is now critical to many significant, on-the-ground, environment projects.

“For the second year in a row environment funding has been cut by the Carr Government and this also threatens its ability to deliver on key election promises, such as managing an expanded national park estate,” Mr Cohen said.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Coal industry not ready to tackle greenhouse - 5 April 2005

The NSW Government should shelve its plans for new coal-fired power stations and instead invest in renewable alternatives, at least until a technological revolution occurs in the energy industry, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

The call came after delegates at Australia's first annual Coal21 clean coal technologies conference in Sydney today were warned by the President of the American Pew Centre on Global Climate Change, Eileen Claussen, that coal energy technology was not ready to tackle global warming.

“It is a clear message to the coal industry that it is not ready to deal effectively with combating greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Cohen said.

“Technological advances are happening but not fast enough to be effective in the proposed new coal-fired power stations the NSW Government is currently considering at Ulan in the Upper Hunter and at an expanded Mt Piper plant near Lithgow.”

Ms Claussen also told the conference during the opening address this morning that both industry and government must be accountable for reducing greenhouse emissions.

Read Eileen Claussen's speech

“The Premier will only become part of the problem on global warming, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the state’s dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power,” Mr Cohen said.

The Greens are currently seeking amendments to the government’s Electricity Supply Amendment Bill, now in the Upper House, to establish a demand management fund that would include load management and energy efficiency opportunities.

“A demand management fund would save consumers money as it would focus industry and retailers on becoming more efficient in how energy is used. Less waste also translates to less greenhouse emissions.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

28 months late, another deadline missed on Brigalow - 1 April 2005

Now 28 months after it first committed to making a decision on protection and forest industry reform in the Brigalow Belt, in western NSW, the Carr Government has let another deadline pass, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“March 31st was the deadline but it now joins a long list of fumbles by the Carr Government. Its handling of this crisis continues to hurt not just the irreplaceable woodlands, but local communities as well.”

Mr Cohen said he and environment groups believe enough work has been done to allow a decision to be made that creates a win-win situation, establishing new national parks and a solid future for forestry workers.

“A structural adjustment package for industry would create a more diverse economy in the region and more than 470 new jobs is the possible result. Environment and community groups wish to see no net loss of jobs.”

The Carr Government committed to announcing protection measures for the western woodlands, or Brigalow Belt, in November 2002, but still hasn’t made an announcement.

“Less than 10 per cent of the original woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range remain and the majority of it is in the Brigalow Belt,” Mr Cohen said.

“We need a better balance. It is possible to protect areas of high conservation value while ensuring a sustainable supply of timber and protecting jobs.

“What is currently occurring is a mismanagement of natural resources. In a very short time there will simply be nothing left for either side to negotiate over.”


Further information: Paul Sheridan, ph: 0410 516 656.

Electricity bills to rise as Carr refuses energy efficiency - 29 March 2005

Electricity bills in NSW will rise substantially over the next five years unless the state government establishes a demand management fund to reduce wasteful energy use and lower costs to consumers, Greens energy spokesperson Ian Cohen said today.


“The $8 billion cost of upgrading the inefficient government-owned energy networks will now have to be passed onto consumers because no effort has been made to reduce wasteful energy use,” Mr Cohen said.


“But it is possible to soften the blow to consumers. The government set up a taskforce to investigate a demand management fund in November 2003 but its report has still not been released.


“A demand management fund would save consumers money as it would focus industry and retailers on becoming more efficient in how energy is used. It is something that both IPART and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has recommended.”


Mr Cohen said $65 million should be allocated initially to a demand management fund to attract serious attention from competing suppliers of demand management services. The fund should be run by an independent, not-for-profit body and guaranteed for at least 10 years so it has a chance to work.


“A small $0.001 per kilowatt-hour (KWh) charge to establish a demand management fund would offset the substantial rises in electricity bills that are to come.”


Mr Cohen said the Greens are seeking amendments to the government’s Electricity Supply Amendment Bill, now in the Upper House, to establish a demand management fund that would include load management and energy efficiency opportunities, such as:

* Load shifting
* Fuel switching (including gas chilling and solar hot water)
* peak period standby generation
* Distributed (renewable) generation (including small scale rooftop solar)
* Interval meters
* Equipment upgrades for more efficient appliances and buildings
* Advanced controls for air-conditioning and lighting


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

World’s largest GM trials find farms and wildlife devastated - 23 March 2005

The NSW Government must ban any further trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops, following the results of the largest study ever conducted which found they damage the farm environment and can harm wildlife, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“The use of powerful weedkillers on GM crops is having a devastating effect on soil and on wildlife. The biotech industry can no longer hide behind its rhetoric of GM’s so-called benefits.


“The NSW Government has a duty of care to act to protect not just the environment but our farmers as well. It cannot ignore the findings of this authoritative study.”


The four-year study involved four major farm-scale trials overseen by Britain's Environment and Rural Affairs Ministry's Scientific Steering Committee. The trials took four years to conduct, involved the collection of one million weeds and two million bugs, and cost about £6 million ($15 million).


The final trial in the study compared GM winter-sown canola to its conventional non-GM equivalent.


“The trials show that a GM crop would speed up the decline of farmland wildlife, especially plants and birds,” Mr Cohen said.


“Agriculture Minister Ian MacDonald cannot now sit by and do nothing. The evidence is damning and the government must act to protect NSW farms from disaster.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Byron: little town with a big heart - 10 March 2005

Sri Lankans left homeless after the recent Tsunami will be given emergency shelter paid for by the generous donations of the Byron community.


$40,000 will be given to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad to co-ordinate the supply of corrugated iron roofing to devastated Sri Lankans. The co-ordinating committee for the Beach Hotel Tsunami support group identified emergency shelter as a priority for the first round of funds raised on Australia Day.


Ian helping with relief efforts in Hikkaduwa, Sri LankaGreens MLC Ian Cohen said $40,000 out of the $97,000 raised overall was urgently needed to supply emergency shelter before the wet season arrived and also to provide badly needed trauma counselling to victims.


“Blues Festival representatives on the committee, Peter Noble and Grant Hilton, were strongly in favour of helping immediately. Basic shelter is still in short supply. Lance Innes who just returned from filming in Sri Lanka stressed in his report to the committee that basic needs were still not being met and that the generosity of the Byron community could also help in the psychological rebuilding of traumatised people, particularly children.


“The substantial fundraising by events at the Beach Hotel Australia Day fundraiser was an overwhelming success. Organised by the Byron community, while I was still helping the relief effort in Sri Lanka, the event made a wonderful homecoming.


“The money raised from this and the Beach Hotel’s New Year takings, generously donated by John Cornell and Delvene Delaney, exceeded my wildest expectations,” Mr Cohen said.


A key consideration for the co-ordinating committee has been to target the funds raised in the most effective way, to ensure Sri Lankan victims were given the help they most needed.


“It was agreed that it was best to move the funds through a registered Australian charity like Oxfam CAA, which has an ongoing relationship and significant experience in Sri Lanka and with the community group, Greens SL,” Mr Cohen said.


Mr Cohen said Oxfam CAA had agreed to provide ongoing status reports on funding expenditure. No commission will be taken by the organisation but realistic costs incurred will be reported back to the committee.


Further Information: Ian Cohen, 0409 989 466

NSW embarrassed back into National Water Initiative - 8 March 2005

The Carr Government has been embarrassed into re-signing the National Water Initiative, following a series of bureaucratic stuff ups and serious incidents of mismanagement of NSW rivers in recent months, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Craig Knowles has had to admit his brave new world of water sharing plans for the state’s rivers has so far been a failure and he now realises he needs the money the Federal Government is offering to save himself.”


The National Competition Council suspended $26 million of NSW competition payments this year because the Carr Government has failed to show how water sharing plans return enough water to the rivers. NSW is the only state that has had its payments docked.


Mr Cohen said the decision to re-sign to the National Water Initiative is an admission the state’s river systems are in crisis.


Dry cracked earthMore than 8000 Ibis chicks died last month in the internationally recognised Gwydir Wetlands after the Department of Natural Resources (DIPNR) failed to release enough water into the river system.


“The Gwydir and Gingham Wetlands are dying because the NSW Government continues to deny them the water they need to survive.


“The same story is being repeated in the Macquarie Marshes, near Warren, where landholders have had to stand by and watch vital bird breeding areas wither and die because of a lack of water.


“Instead of recognising the problem and using new water sharing plans to increase environmental flows and keep rivers healthy, the Carr Government chose a path of action that has pushed the state’s rivers to the point of destruction.”



Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Government in Denial over Illegal Logging - 25 February 2005

Despite being presented today with evidence of illegal logging by his own department in sensitive woodland areas in western NSW, Forestry Minister Ian MacDonald has refused to accept any responsibility, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Despite conservation groups having catalogued 35 illegal logging incidents since September 2003, the Minister continued to deny any knowledge of them and refused to accept responsibility for his department’s actions.


Clearfelling“Despite the Carr Government previously stating the importance of conserving the western woodlands of NSW, Mr MacDonald has now snubbed community and environment groups and publicly displayed his intention treat illegal logging as some sort of joke.”


In a Budget Estimates Committee hearing this morning the Minister said he was unaware of any new breaches of logging agreements and dismissed evidence presented to him as being either old or not his responsibility.


“The Minister was informed there was video evidence of an officer from State Forests admitting breaches had occurred in the last week. This is a clear case of being both his department and anything but old. The Minister’s denials are farcical.”


The Carr Government committed to announcing protection measures for the western woodlands, or Brigalow Belt, in November 2002, but still hasn’t made an announcement.


“Less than 10 per cent of the original woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range remain and the majority of it is in the Brigalow Belt.


“We need a better balance. It is possible to protect areas of high conservation value while ensuring a sustainable supply of timber and protecting jobs.


“What is currently occurring is a mismanagement of natural resources. In a very short time there will simply be nothing left for either side to negotiate over.”


Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656.

Climate change the litmus test for Carr’s legacy - 16 February 2005

Taking key assets out of public hands will haunt Bob Carr’s legacy as NSW Premier, as climate change will increasingly stress the state’s natural resources and critical decisions left to profit-oriented corporations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Climate change in NSW will bring more drought, more fires and increase pressure on water resources. In 20 years time, when the implications of a global warming are all too real, people will remember that Bob Carr took away their chance to have a say on how our forests and water resources are managed.”


Kyoto Day Action - GreenpeaceThe Kyoto Protocol comes into force today even though Australia and the United States have refused to ratify the agreement. Premier Bob Carr has committed NSW to meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Protocol.


Bob Carr’s decision to place key assets, such as the state’s forests and water infrastructure, in corporate hands removes the publics’ right to have a say in key future decision-making, Mr Cohen said.


“Allowing the state’s forests to be corporatised at a time when the world is looking to Australia to lift its game on climate change is nothing short of madness.


“There is no guarantee that millions of hectares of state forests will be managed by a corporation for the public good.


“Local communities rely on healthy forests to ensure healthy water supplies. They also want to have a say on how forests are managed to ensure fire management remains a priority.


“Bob Carr has made plenty of noise about the need to ratify the Kyoto Protocol but he is now allowing his government’s greenhouse sceptic Michael Costa to give away its ability to trade in carbon credits and meet greenhouse reduction targets.”


Mr Cohen said that in private hands, state forests could be cleared or burnt to produce energy. This would add significantly to the state’s greenhouse emissions.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Forests sell-off risks failure for NSW on greenhouse gas reduction - 15 February 2005

NSW risks losing its status as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions if the state government proceeds with plans to sell the state’s pine plantations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Allowing the state’s plantations to fall into private hands at a time when the world is looking to Australia to lift its game on climate change is nothing short of madness.


“Bob Carr has made plenty of noise about the need to ratify the Kyoto Protocol but he is now allowing his government’s greenhouse sceptic Michael Costa to sell the plantations and give away its ability to trade in carbon credits and meet greenhouse reduction targets.”


Protest - "keep state forests from the furnace"Mr Cohen said that in private hands, the state’s 205,000 hectares of plantations could be cleared or burnt to produce energy. This would add significantly to the state’s greenhouse emissions.


The Kyoto Protocol will come into force tomorrow even though Australia and the United States have refused to ratify the agreement. Premier Bob Carr has committed NSW to meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in the Protocol.


To meet targets, the Kyoto Protocol allows for the use of flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading through the capture of carbon in ‘carbon sinks’. The most effective way to capture carbon is through its storage in vegetation such as forests.


“It is no secret that Economic reform Minister Michael Costa, who is pushing the privatisation idea, is a greenhouse sceptic. He has made it clear many times he doubts what the Premier and the world’s scientific community believes is happening to the world’s climate.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Survival of NSW rivers now in jeopardy - 9 February 2005

Internationally significant wetlands on the Gwydir River in the state’s northwest face a bleak future after the NSW Court of Appeal today confirmed the NSW Government has made extracting water a priority over river health, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“The Carr Government has sold out the NSW public and the state’s stressed river systems to benefit the financial interests of big irrigation businesses.”


“Instead of acting responsibly to help return rivers to health, the Carr Government has handed irrigators a lifetime guarantee of access to river water, irrespective of whether the water is there or not.”


The judgement of the NSW Court of Appeal today follows a series of body blows for the Gwydir River in recent months. More than 8000 Ibis chicks have died in the past two weeks after the Department of Natural Resources (DIPNR) failed to supply enough water.


“The Gwydir and Gingham Wetlands are dying because the NSW Government continues to deny them the water they need to survive.


“Instead of recognising the problem and using new water sharing plans to increase environmental flows and keep rivers healthy, the Carr Government has chosen a path of action that could push the state’s rivers to the point of destruction.


The National Competition Council has suspended $26 million of NSW competition payments this year because the Carr Government has failed to show how water sharing plans return enough water to the rivers. NSW is the only state that has had its payments docked.


Mr Cohen said landholders surrounding wetlands across NSW are fed up with the government’s mismanagement.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Sydney’s water future draining away - 8 February 2005

The Carr Government’s water recycling plan announced today is the equivalent of crawling when it should be running towards initiatives that would make Sydney a city with sustainable water use, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said.


Sprinkler on Garden“Tens of millions of litres of stormwater and of sewage are there to be harvested but it will continue to simply drain away and cause pollution because the Carr Government has chosen to take only kiddie steps and ignore the wastewater already created by 4.5 million residents.


“Targeting new homes is only the beginning and, while the Premier has mentioned future action, the city’s crisis is happening now.”


Mr Cohen said water saving initiatives - such as recycling stormwater and sewage, more efficient toilets and permanent low-level water restrictions - would save more water than the Carr Government’s 25-year water plan for Sydney produces.


Mr Cohen said the Premier also continues to excuse Sydney Water from greater effort or accountability for its incredibly bad record on recycling water.


“Sydney Water failed to meet its demand management targets in 2000 and 2001 and it is on track to fail in 2004/2005. It discharges more than 450 gigalitres of wastewater as sewage effluent each year but has managed to recycle only 11 gigalitres.”


“Sydney’s water future will not be saved simply by spending more money sinking new bores, deepwater pumping and building new pipes to the Shoalhaven River.


“Sydney could have a sustainable water supply but that would require much greater effort to conserve and recycle water than this government has so far made.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

‘Chainsaw’ MacDonald declares war on forests - 4 February 2005

A controversial meeting between Primary Industries Minister Ian MacDonald and the timber industry has revealed the Carr Government intends to abandon the last remaining native woodlands in western NSW, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“Mr MacDonald has met with industry representatives in Gunnedah, which is a highly provocative move as it is the gateway to the Brigalow Belt woodlands and a focal point of the stand off between community and environment groups and the timber industry.


Western Woodlands - Wild Unique Under Threat Ad“Despite the Carr Government already stating the importance of conserving the western woodlands, Mr MacDonald has now snubbed community and environment groups and publicly displayed his government’s intentions.”


The Carr Government had committed to announcing protection measures for the Brigalow Belt in November 2002, but still hasn’t made an announcement.


“Less than 10 per cent of the original woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range remain and the majority of it is in the Brigalow Belt.


“A failure by the Carr Labor Government to protect old growth forests in the Brigalow Belt threatens extinction for animal and plant species and opportunities for regional communities to attract tourism to the region.


“We need a better balance. It is possible to protect areas of high conservation value while ensuring a sustainable supply of timber and protecting jobs.


“What is currently occurring is a mismanagement of natural resources. In a very short time there will simply be nothing left for either side to negotiate over.”


Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656.

NSW wetlands in crisis - 2 February 2005

Many of the state’s 188 wetlands face destruction due to the pressures of development and pollution,

and require greater protection and management, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today, World Wetlands Day.


“In coastal areas, wetlands such as at Lake Cathie on the mid-north coast and Rockdale Wetlands in southern Sydney are under threat from development and pollution, while water extraction and salinity threatens the Macquarie Marshes and the Gwydir Wetlands in the state’s north-west.”


Mr Cohen called on the Minister for Planning Craig Knowles to revise and extend Environment Planning Policy, SEPP 14, to include all significant wetlands and intervene in the current destruction of wetlands through the recently introduced SEPP 71.


Inland and coastal wetlands and lakes cover around 4.5 million hectares or approximately 6 per cent of NSW.


“Over 95 percent of wetland areas are west of the Great Dividing Range and yet this is the least protected area of the state. The Carr Government has yet to deliver on its promise to end broad scale land clearing and is more than two years behind in deciding of the future of the Brigalow Belt woodlands.”


Grevillea Close-Up (by Erland Howden)Coastal wetlands currently facing development or pollution threats include:

· Jervis Bay Wetlands

· Brisbane Waters (Central Coast)

· Rockdale Wetlands (Cooks Cove)

· Lake Cathie (Camden Haven)

· Hexham Swamp (Newcastle)

· Tathra-Black Ada

· Tuckean (Northern NSW)

· Shell Harbour

· Yarrahappini (near Kempsey)



Mr Cohen also called for the recognition and involvement of Indigenous Australians in wetland management and protection.


Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

NSW Farmers misled by NSW Farmers Association - 2 February 2005

The NSW Farmers Association continues to misrepresent and mislead the state’s farmers and has today used them as pawns in a politically motivated move to try and stem the tide of members deserting the organisation, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


Mr Cohen said a media release issued by the NSW Farmers Association today attempts to set farmers up in confrontation with The Greens over greenhouse gas emissions, but that instead it has backfired and been exposed as a political stunt.


Landclearing“The NSW Farmers Association has tried to deny evidence established by the CSIRO, The Australian Greenhouse Office, and the 13 scientific experts on the NSW State of the Environment Advisory Council about the greenhouse emissions generated by land clearing.


“Instead, the Association has used the state’s farmers as pawns in a thinly veiled attempt to gloss over its recent decisions on planned reforms to land clearing laws and halt the decline in its membership numbers.”


Mr Cohen said The Greens had well-established and healthy working relationships with farmers across NSW.


“It seems to be that only when the NSW Farmers Association gets involved that major problems arise. Individual farmers do not use terms such as ‘extreme green’ because they themselves are quite green.”


Land clearing in NSW is estimated to emit between 283.9 and 591.3 tonnes of greenhouse gases per hectare per year (source: Australian Greenhouse Office). Current rates of clearing are estimated to be 60,000 hectares per year in NSW.


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Land clearing in NSW our greenhouse shame - 31 January 2005

Clearfelled forestLand clearing in NSW generates as much as 35 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, which is the equivalent of more than 7 million new cars on our roads.


“The Carr Government will fail to meet its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels if it does not end broadscale land clearing in NSW,” Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.


“The Premier has made many bold statements about combating climate change and committed his government to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but if he fails to end broadscale land clearing he will fail to meet the targets he has set.”


Land clearing in NSW is estimated to emit between 283.9 and 591.3 tonnes of greenhouse gases per hectare per year (source: Australian Greenhouse Office). Current rates of clearing are estimated to be 60,000 hectares per year in NSW.


Today is the closing day for public comment on the NSW proposed new native vegetation reforms and Mr Cohen said that the government must now make sure it fulfils its promise to the people of NSW to end broadscale land clearing.


“The Carr Government is now on its third attempt to stop land clearing, it is on its third promise to the community and the electorate to address this issue. They can be very certain that now have a very real credibility problem.


“It is possible that, despite the reforms, land clearing will continue to occur in NSW at a shocking rate. Exemptions under the new regulations could allow hundreds of thousands of hectares of vital native vegetation to be cleared each year.”


Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Aboriginal families condemned to generational poverty - 16 December 2004

Many of the families and relatives of Aboriginal people who had wages stolen from them decades ago have been condemned to generational poverty and may never be able to build a quality of life their descendents had wished to hand on to them, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

The NSW Government has announced it will repay only $15 million to families and descendents who had wages stolen from them as early as the 1920s and up until the late 1960s, despite earlier estimates being close to $70 million.

“The money owed to thousands of Aboriginal families reflects more than just the interest payments they may have lost.

“These families have been consistently denied the opportunity to participate in a real economy and as a result have always been on the back foot, unable to use those wages to build a foundation for the future.

“This state government is now as guilty as the ones before it for denying some Aboriginal people the chance to break a cycle of poverty. Consistent denial entrenches generational poverty and that is a crime this government will be remembered for.”

“Aboriginal people simply want what they are owed. Instead, the NSW Government has chosen to pay back the bare minimum it had to.”

Mr Cohen said the original payback proposal the government has had since 2001 suggested that $69 million was possible, even before calculations could be made on money also owed but not recorded due to lost or faulty paperwork and records.

“This is not the state's money to bestow or withhold within budget comfort. This is Aboriginal earnings and entitlements that the state as trustee was legally bound to safeguard.

“Aboriginal people have been cheated of their wages, their child endowment entitlements and their inheritances.”

Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Carr’s Brown Energy Future -- 7 December 2004

The Premier is deceiving the people of NSW about his government’s “green” credentials and will commit the state to a future polluted by new coal-fired power stations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Speaking following the release of the NSW Government’s Green Paper on Energy, Mr Cohen said the Premier would only become part of the problem on climate change, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the state’s dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power.

“Despite the Premier recently hosting the International Climate Change Task Force in Sydney to solve the problems of global warming, the coal industry in NSW continues to expand at the fastest rate in history.”

Mr Cohen said that unless the NSW Government acts quickly to take advantage of the enormous investment and jobs potential in the sustainable energy industry, such as wind and solar, NSW would be left behind the rest of Australia and the world.

“Sustainable energy has been the fastest growing industry sector in NSW, valued at $5.3 billion, and employment opportunities have increased at a rate of 12 per cent a year.

“However, unless there is a commitment to invest in the future of the industry, NSW will lose its way and be left behind the rest of the world.”

Media Contact: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656 

Super trawler stalled but tough decisions still needed -- 26 November 2004

Outlawing ‘factory fishing’ is the only way to guarantee a long term future for Australia’s fisheries and support a sustainable fishing industry, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Mr Cohen’s comments follow a decision by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) today to freeze entry of new boats into the small pelagic fishery until at least June 2005. The owners of the 106-metre long MV Veronica are seeking entry to that fishery.

“The delay is a welcome one but the federal government cannot afford to simply believe that a quota system is enough to prevent our fish stocks being plundered to the point of extinction.”

Mr Cohen called for factory fishing, such as that conducted by super trawlers such as the MV Veronica and its even bigger sister the MV Atlantic Dawn, to be outlawed in Australian waters.

“There are too many possibilities for mistakes and too many precedents of rules being snubbed to allow this type of fishing to take place in Australia. We cannot afford to innocently believe that Australia’s fishing quota system is enough to stop problems occurring.

“If Australia opens the door to these huge fish factories, then it will undo many years of hard work the local commercial fishing industry has done to operate sustainably,” Mr Cohen said.

“Fishing on this scale is not known here yet but we still manage to support a successful fishing industry. Australia has the opportunity to lead the world in sustainable fishing, but if vessels such as the Veronica are allowed to operate, we will lose our credibility as good environmental managers.

“Overfishing can devastate an ecosystem. The impact of over-fishing is all too obvious in the North Atlantic, where species such as the cod are of the edge of extinction, and off west Africa, where fish factories catch more fish in a day than locals catch in a year.”
  
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656 

Carr’s hollow words on greenhouse -- 15 November 2004

The Premier is deceiving the people of NSW about his government’s “green” credentials and he will only become part of the problem on climate change, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the state’s dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
Despite the Premier hosting the International Climate Change Task Force in Sydney this week to solve the problems of global warming, the coal industry in NSW continues to expand at the fastest rate in history.
Mr Cohen said that unless the NSW Government acts quickly to take advantage of the enormous investment and jobs potential in the sustainable energy industry, such as wind and solar, NSW would be left behind the rest of Australia and the world.
“Sustainable energy is the fastest growing industry sector in NSW, valued at $5.3 billion, and employment opportunities are currently increasing at a rate of 12 per cent a year.
“However, unless there is a commitment to invest in the future of the industry, NSW will lose its way and be left behind the rest of the world.”

Media Contact: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Protect farmers from crop contamination -- 12 November 2004

Farmers who choose to not grow GM food crops should be protected by law from any liability if their crops are contaminated by a genetically modified organism, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.
Mr Cohen called for the changes to the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act after the state government tabled plans in parliament this week that do not include a strict liability clause.
“It is only fair that there be controls that protect non-GM farmers from having to pay if they are faced with contamination of their crops,” Mr Cohen said.
“The Greens are seeking to not just protect farmers but also to have a more realistic system in place.
“If you are the person responsible for the release of a GM food plant or if you are the manufacturer of a genetically modified organism that results in the contamination of non-GM crop, then you should be liable for the costs of cleaning up after your mistake.”
Mr Cohen said the Greens are also seeking to prevent the government from limiting the information the state’s independent Advisory Council on Gene Technology receives when an application is made for an exemption to the current three-year moratorium.
He said a government briefing paper handed to MPs claimed consulting with the independent experts on the Advisory Council was ‘overly bureaucratic’.
“The Agriculture Minister has confirmed he intends to turn the only independent body in NSW that can scrutinise applications to grow GM food crops into a toothless tiger.
“This government has systematically removed checks and balances on its activities and decisions. Being accountable is obviously annoying this government.”

Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656.

New land clearing laws must pursue illegal operators -- 10 November 2004

The Premier’s historic opportunity to end broadscale land clearing is being marred by illegal clearing in the few remaining areas of native vegetation in NSW, Greens MP Ian Cohen said today.
“The Premier has yet to deliver on a promise he first made back in 1995 to end broadscale land clearing and he will fail if his government does not pursue prosecution of illegal clearing, which amounts to tens of thousands of hectares of native vegetation each year.”

More than 60,000 hectares of land is cleared in NSW each year – the equivalent of 68 suburban blocks every hour.
In northern NSW, land clearing rates equal those of Queensland, Mr Cohen said.
“Land clearing poses the greatest threat to wildlife, native vegetation and sustainable agriculture in NSW.  It kills native animals and plants, causes massive land degradation, dryland salinity, and releases high levels of greenhouse gas emissions.”
In NSW alone, over 240 native species and more than 30 ecological communities (types of bushland) are known to be at risk of extinction because of land clearing.  Over 56 birds, 22 mammals, 12 reptiles, 4 frogs and 140 plants are at risk as a direct result of land clearing.
Mr Cohen said satellite surveillance and well-resourced on-ground enforcement is the only way to address illegal clearing.
“The old Department of Land and Water Conservation failed to prosecute hundreds of cases of illegal clearing. The new Department of Natural Resources must set an example and send a message to those who continue to illegally clear that it will not be tolerated.” 
Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Promise to end land clearing now broken 3 times -- 9 November 2004

The NSW Government has now broken its promise to end broadscale land clearing three times, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said following the release of native vegetation regulations today.
“Despite election promises to end broad-scale land clearing since it was elected in 1995, the Carr Government has now released regulations that will allow hundreds of thousands of hectares of native vegetation to be cleared each year.
“The Carr Government is now on its third attempt to stop land clearing, it is on its third promise to the community and the electorate to address this issue.  They can be very certain that now have a very real credibility problem.
“Native animals and plants in NSW will be more vulnerable to threats from land clearing as the government is also seeking to change the laws protecting them to help clear the way for these new regulations.
“Under these new regulations, land clearing will continue to occur in NSW at a shocking rate. Exemptions under the regulations will allow hundreds of thousands of hectares of vital native vegetation to be cleared each year.
“What convinced many environmentalists to originally work with the government towards an end to broadscale land clearing has proven to be hollow.
“Broad-scale clearing of remnant vegetation will not end under this legislation. In fact, little will change. If someone wants to build a fence in the middle of a stand of remnant vegetation and clear for many metres on either side, they can.
“How many more species do we have to lose before the NSW Government gets it right?”
Further Information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656

Voters reject Carr’s legacy of a wide brown land -- 2 November 2004

The NSW Government has lost its ‘green credibility’ following a series of hollow promises and irresponsible decisions, and this has been confirmed in today’s Newspoll which shows its approval rating has plummeted, Green MLC Ian Cohen said today.

“The Carr Labor Government’s bubble has burst and it reflects the path the Premier has chosen in taking NSW to the brink of its worst environmental crisis in recent history,” Mr Cohen said.

Newspoll figures for NSW show Labor's primary vote slumping 4 points to 34 per cent in October, while the Liberal-National Coalition rose to 6 points to 44 per cent and the Greens returned to their highest-ever Newspoll NSW score of 9 per cent.

“Bob Carr has promised to be a leader on environmental management in three successive elections but his legacy is fast becoming one of rivers sucked dry, ancient woodlands lost, and Crown lands flogged off.”

Mr Cohen said the National Party was also heading for disaster at the next state election, with support almost halving since March, 2003. In less than two years, Newspoll shows support among NSW voters for the Nationals has dropped from 9.7 per cent to 5 per cent.

Mr Cohen said 5 key areas where Bob Carr has lost his green credibility are:

  • NSWOur rivers don’t have enough water to sustain their health but the Carr Government went out of its way to guarantee lifetime access to river water in recent changes;
  • Laws being debated in parliament this month which protect Our threatened species laws from extinction are being weakened to make them more developer-friendly;
  • Over 3.5 million hectares of Crown leasehold land is being sold-off within minimal environmental controls – a complete backflip by the Carr Government which prevented the former Greiner Coalition Government doing the same;
  • A promise to make decisions and The decision to protect the Brigalow woodlands is now two years late even though the Carr Government is well aware still pending after a two year wait. Meanwhile the timber industry continues logging at unsustainable rates;
  • Areas of old-growth, wilderness and threatened species habitat are being logged in the South east forests, wood chipped and exported despite a promise by Bob Carr in 1995 to end this;
The groups will provide further information on these critical issues over the coming months until they are resolved.

Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656