Media alert | Friday, 1 March 2024
Tasmanian independent MP for Bass Lara Alexander, federal independent MP for Mackellar Sophie Scamps and Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss will hold a media conference in Launceston today following Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to expand logging.
It will be followed by a public forum with Dr Scamps and Dr Denniss, A Pathway Out of Native Forest Logging, from 1pm.
Where: Launceston Conference Centre (auditorium 2)
When: 12.30pm Friday, 1 March 2024
Who:
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Lara Alexander, Tasmanian independent MP for Bass
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Dr Sophie Scamps MP, federal independent member for Mackellar
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Richard Denniss, Executive Director of the Australia Institute
Nearly 50 current and former state and federal politicians have signed Dr Scamps’ pledge to end industrial native forest logging across Australia.
“If Australia continues to log our native forests at the current rate, some of our most iconic species, such as koalas and the swift parrot, may become extinct in the wild during our lifetime,” she said.
"That's why I have sponsored the forest pledge bringing together politicians, scientists and environmentalists to call for an end to native forest logging, nationally.
“Our native forests are also vital to Australia’s fight against climate change and species extinction. To keep our Paris commitments, we must not lose these vital carbon sinks.
"States that have not committed to ending native forest logging do so as soon as possible, and we must come up with transition paths into new industries, like tourism, carbon farming and fire protection for our forests."
“Native forest logging is a heavily subsidised industry, a tiny employer and causes massive damage to habitat and the climate, there is so little benefit in native forest logging for Tasmanians,” said Richard Denniss.
Media Enquiries:
Vanessa Bleyer 0412 586 848
Interviews with Dr Scamps:
Anne Davies 0408 223 875