Melina Bath MP – Labor must confirm national park decision
The Liberals and Nationals have demanded confirmation that the Allan Labor Government will not back the formation of the Great Forest National Park (GFNP).
Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, has written to Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, requesting a formal public commitment.
It comes after Field and Game Australia revealed on social media that the Minister told an Electrical Trade Union delegates conference that Labor does not support a GFNP.
The proposed half a million-hectare GFNP, about 90 minutes north-east of Melbourne, would triple the area of the Central Highlands Forest.
Ms Bath’s request follows a recent parliamentary petition opposing the creation of new national parks which gathered over 40,000 signatures, underscoring widespread public discontent.
Ms Bath said Victorians did not need more poorly maintained “pad-locked’’ national parks.
“If Minister Dimopoulos is prepared to say there will be no Great Forest National Park to union delegates behind closed doors, he must be prepared to put it on the public record,” Ms Bath said.
“The government owes an explanation to the 40,208 Victorians who signed the petition opposing Labor’s plans to form new national parks.
“Labor is mismanaging our existing national parks, with successive budget and staffing cuts.
“Neglecting public land increases fire risk and leads to the proliferation of invasive weeds and pests, which degrade the environment and pose a threat to native flora and fauna.
“The Liberals and Nationals oppose the creation of new national parks and support the active management our public land for better environmental and recreational outcomes.”
Ms Bath also urged Labor to overturn its misguided decision to create the Wombat-Lerderderg and Mount Buangor National Parks to the north-west of Melbourne.
“These state forests have long served as vital spaces for a range of recreational activities, including horse riding, trail bike riding, four-wheel driving, camping, hunting, prospecting and fossicking and firewood collection.
“Labor can’t manage our public land, and Victorians are paying the price.”
Media contact: Dominic McDermott – 0488 163 006