State budget unplugs more life support for our environment
Lucky we weren’t holding our breath for some government enlightenment and financial commitment to help Victoria’s ailing environment, in the budget.
“The departmental budget for environmental policy has been cut by $19m, or 34%, while the budget for environmental programs has been cut by $46m or 25% on last year’s budget. … The 34% cut for environmental policy is the single largest cut to any departmental output across the whole of State Government.”
“Meanwhile the Coalition is pouring public money into propping up industries which damage Victoria’s environment, with a $4 million coal development fund to pursue brown coal exports, and $15 million to co-fund mining exploration activities. This means that for the first time taxpayers are actually footing the bill for drilling rigs and excavators to conduct mining exploration across the state” ! environmentvictoria.org.au/media/environment-protection-and-programs-slashed-state-budget