In response to comments from WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam at a Nine / Business News breakfast this morning, the following statement is attributable to Jess Beckerling, the Executive Director of the Conservation Council of WA:
“Libby Mettam’s WA Liberals are lifting their policies from the Peter Dutton playbook. This latest announcement is deeply out of step with the WA community’s desire to protect the places we love.
“Neither the WA Liberals or the WA Chamber of Commerce have provided any evidence of the $318 billion of investments they claim are awaiting approvals. Delays in approvals are actually caused by industrial proponents failing to provide sufficient information and data as required by law. WA nature and the community should not pay the price for industry’s lack of compliance.
“WA has just experienced its hottest and driest summer on record, causing forest collapse across the south of our state and mass deaths of turtles and penguins in Perth. WA’s nature is already facing increasing threats from climate change and fossil fuel expansion.
“The WA Liberals have signalled a plan to further reduce environmental protections to fast-track industrial approvals. In the midst of a worsening climate and ecosystem collapse we need better protections for our nature - not to weaken the few defences currently in place.
“Our existing laws are under threat from captive politicians caving in to industry pressure. The Environmental Protection Authority is the thin green line defending WA’s nature from rampant fossil fuel expansion, and it needs to be strengthened.”
ENDS
CONTACT: For any enquiries relating to this release please contact 0412 272 570 or by email on [email protected]
MEDIA INFORMATION: The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) is the state’s foremost nonprofit, non-government conservation organisation representing nearly 100 environmental organisations across Western Australia.
For more information, visit: ccwa.org.au.