Who will be the winners and losers in the Queensland Election
Photo © Wildlfie Queensland

The election is getting closer and certain significant environmental announcements have been made. These give some additional insight on how the environment and our wildlife will be managed. Advice from Labor, the LNP and the Greens indicate that a response to the conservation movement questionnaire will be with the movement by cob Friday 16 March. Other political parties are yet to respond. Once this information is to hand the responses will be available on the website.

Labor has announced the Border to Beach wildlife corridor a bold, creative and inspirational project. LNP announced $22m for koala research and habitat acquisition. While Wildlife Queensland acknowledges and welcomes this initiative, because of lack of detail it is difficult to compare it with the $44m Labor has committed from the waste levy for similar purposes. LNP have indicated a return to lethal deterrents for flying foxes to protect crops from attack under certain circumstances. Such a move is not welcomed by Wildlife Queensland. Furthermore LNP have indicated that under certain conditions third party appeal rights against developments will be lost.

Both LNP and Labor have announced a voluntary buyback of east coast inshore commercial netting licences that will strengthen protection for the marine environment and its inhabitants. At this stage the $12m commitment by Labor is ahead of the LNP commitment.

Again both major parties have been addressing concerns about turtles and dugongs.
While comments have come from both Labor and LNP about the Coal Seam Gas industry and there is some suggested tinkering around the edge, neither party is inclined to impede the galloping pace of this industry - an industry perceived by a broad sector of the community to be out of control.

There is still time for major environmental announcements but as the election draws closer, time is running out.

Previous Updates

Queensland State election: Will the environment get a fair go? February 2012

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