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 …
The state budget has allocated $11M over the next 3 years to upgrade the Princes Hwy from Nowa Nowa to Orbost. Now this wouldn’t be to assist the mining company that’s requiring a speedy route to the Eden wharf would it? Nah –just coincidence we’re sure. Read more about the Nowa Nowa iron project here————-
The east Gippsland fires have been estimated to have cost the government (tax payer) up to $140 million to manage. We are hearing that so much of this was reckless waste – machines laying idle at $2000 a day or more, bulldozers left to do their own thing just to keep them employed. Strike teams …
The Napthine government’s pledge to reform freedom-of-information laws is in disarray, with its own FOI watchdog struggling to meet a litany of complaints against secretive state departments. More than a year after the government set up Victoria’s first Freedom of Information Commissioner, figures confirm many people are waiting longer, political interference is still rife, and …
SERIAL big mouth Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh has struck again leaving Victorian taxpayers to cough up for a second defamation settlement. The latest settlement, after legal action was taken by Environment East Gippsland, will result in tens of thousands of dollars handed over because of comments made late last year. It follows a separate case …
Comments made against a regional environment group have resulted in Minister Peter Walsh stepping back and making a public apology today. The apology to Environment East Gippsland was today published on his parliamentary website and the regional newspaper where it was originally printed. The Minister’s media comments in October last year stated that EEG “…continue(s) …
The Victorian Agriculture Minister, Peter Walsh, has issued a formal apology to an environment group. Environment East Gippsland successfully challenged the State Government’s forestry laws in the Supreme Court in 2010. The group has twice settled out of court in its favour, securing greater protection for threatened flora and fauna. On Wednesday, Mr Walsh posted …
Released in December 2013, the report into VicForests operations (the government’s logging monopoly), condemns its lack of protection of environmental values but excuses the drain it puts on the state’s finances. There’s no market for woodchips so trees are incinerated where they are felled. So why are they cut down? Among many other shocking findings, …
A senior scientist says the proposal for the Victorian National Alpine Park cattle grazing trial would receive a fail mark if it was the work of a student. Professor Mark Burgman, chair of the School of the Botany at the University of Melbourne, reviewed the proposal as part of a submission to the Victorian Government …
There is a parallel-universe feeling to the federal government’s hostile attitude towards the natural environment. In one universe, conservation and climate change are elements to be respected or brought under control for the very real benefit of everyone. In the other, nature is to be exploited with little restraint, and short-term political motivation is far …
