THE O'FARRELL GOVERNMENT'S 100 DAY WAR ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
The Labor Opposition will today release a four page publication highlighting the O'Farrell Government's war on our environment during its first 100 days if office.
"Today is Day 100 of Barry O'Farrell's Premiership," said Luke Foley, Shadow Minister for the Environment & Climate Change.
"In Opposition, Mr O'Farrell pretended to be all things to all people.
"He promised to protect our environment in his so-called Contract with NSW.
"Now they are in Government, Mr O'Farrell's team is reversing the conservation gains of recent decades," said Mr Foley.
"The National Party are running riot. And the Premier and his Environment Minister are giving them the green light to do as they please on the environment.
"Mr O'Farrell started as he meant to continue on April 3 by dumping the Coalition's Shadow Environment Minister, Catherine Cusack - a staunch opponent of the Shooters & Fishers Party's push for hunting in National Parks - from his Cabinet.
"And he continued to wage war on the environment throughout April, May and June. Just last Thursday, the State Government abandoned an agreement which allowed the Commonwealth to buy water from the Menindee Lakes and return it to the Murray-Darling.
"In its first 100 days, the O'Farrell Government has declared war on our environment," said Mr Foley.
(See full report attached)
MEDIA COMMENT: LUKE FOLEY 0417 494 802
FACT SHEET:
TOP 10 O'FARRELL GOVERNMENT ATTACKS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
3 APRIL
Barry O'Farrell dumps the Coalition's Shadow Environment Minister, Catherine Cusack - a staunch opponent of the Shooters & Fishers Party's push for hunting in National Parks - from his Cabinet.
3 APRIL
Premier abolishes the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water.
4 APRIL
Premier hands responsibility for marine parks and catchment management authorities to the Department of Primary Industries, in direct breach of the Coalition's election policy.
28 APRIL
The Government lifts bans on high risk fishing methods that were designed to protect the critically endangered grey nurse shark, at Fish Rock and Green Island, near South West Rocks.
6 MAY
In an explosive Question Time debut, Environment Minister Robyn Parker refuses to rule out lifting or diluting the existing controls on broad scale land clearing, fails to back the continuation of the independent Scientific Committee that protects threatened species and opposes action on climate change.
13 MAY
The Government announces its plan to retrospectively slash the Solar Bonus
Scheme tariff to 110,000 households who have invested in a clean energy future.
25 MAY
The Government uses its numbers in the Legislative Assembly to overturn the
Government Regulation containing the zoning plans for the Solitary Islands and Jervis Bay Marine Parks, reducing the sanctuary zones.
14 JUNE
The Government approves hunting in 142 State Forests for an unprecedented 10 years.
23 JUNE
Without warning, the O'Farrell Government and the Shooters & Fishers Party combine in the Legislative Council to immediately push through a moratorium on marine parks.
30 JUNE
State Government abandons an agreement which allows the Commonwealth to buy water from the Menindee Lakes and return it to the Murray-Darling.
