Queensland's state emblems: How will they fare in Queensland's environment after the State Election? The Queensland Environment Groups, of which Wildlife Queensland is a member, have approached all the major parties involved in the 2006 State Election (called by Premier Peter Beattie for 9 September) for statements of their positions on the environment and their plans for a sustainable Queensland - but received no responses in advance of the election.
This lack of apparent interest by Queensland's political bodies raises many questions.
What attention will the environment receive in the coming political term?
Answer: Very little if the lack of response is a guide. However, the joint environment groups received indications of these non-detailed plans by the Australian Labor Party:
- a commitment to declare all 19 of the proposed Queensland Wild Rivers. Background information on this campaign.
- an environmental education centre for Moreton Bay
- more money for sustainable housing
- water conservation proposals
- more money for bushland.
What should the issues be?
Answer: The Queensland Conservation Council website contains a summary of the Queensland Environment Groups election policy brief that tells you what the real issues are in Queensland.
What can the environmental voter do?
Answer: Election time is the one time that politicians seem to pay attention to voters. Make the most of it. Ask your local candidates what they are doing about Queensland's environment. Be specific about issues. Try and get a written response. Make the environment the big issue.
What are the implications for the Protecting our Bushland campaign?
Answer: The Protecting our Bushland Campaign will continue to be our most significant campaign. Whoever holds power in Queensland after 9 September, that government will have to come to terms with the effects of climate change on Queensland's wildlife and environment.
Wildlife Queensland says......
The environment is just not on the agenda for this election, unless we count dams and water. Why? Because the environment is no longer among the top 10 concerns of voters. How bad do things have to get before their environment once more becomes an issue for people? We might find out very soon if climate change and drought keep affecting the comfortable lives of the city dwelling majority.
To move the environment up the political agenda, we voters must phone, email, write and talk to our local politicians and tell them that the environment is important.
And the QG Protecting our bushland ePetition?
Answer: The Queensland Government ePetition Protecting our bushland is sponsored by Ronan Lee, ALP member for Indooroopilly. Wildlife Queensland understands that Queensland Government ePetitions remain valid even if their sponsoring member loses his or her parliamentary seat.
But to be on the safe side, sign the ePetition now.
What you can do.
About the Queensland Environment Groups
More information on the activities of the joint environment groups.
For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, contact us by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.
Wildlife Queensland - August 2006 |
