Coalition lagging badly on Victoria's environment

Victoria's four major environment groups say they are sorely disappointed by the handful of environment policies so far released by the Victorian Coalition in the lead up to the Victorian state election.

The groups have this week released an updated assessment of the environment policies of the three major parties. The Greens have increased their score from 90 to 93%, Labor's score has risen from 45 to 47%, but the Liberal-National Coalition has fallen a further three percentage points, with a total of just 11%.

Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director Matt Ruchel explained that âboth the ALP and Coalition were marked down due to their policies on the natural environment.

"The Coalition for their backward policy of re-introducing cattle grazing to the Alpine National Park and the ALP due to its appalling 'Pursuing the Great Outdoors' policy, which threatens to undermine the integrity of our magnificent national park system.

"However, the Liberal Party's recent announcement that it will retain the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) and instruct it to undertake investigations into marine parks and freshwater ecosystems is to be congratulated."

The Wilderness Society's Victorian Campaigns Manager Gavan McFadzean said that so far the Coalition's environment policies have failed to address many of our priority policy areas,

stating "in particular they have lost ground due to their recent forest policy, which announces that logging and woodchipping will intensify and native forests will be effectively converted to eucalypt plantations.

"2010 is the international year of biodiversity, but going by the policy commitments of Labor and Liberal so far, you wouldn't know it. Neither party has grasped the seriousness of the biodiversity crisis in Victoria and urgent need to protect ecosystems and habitat for rare and endangered wildlife.

"The surging Greens vote is a clear signal that the public want to see the other parties announce strong environment policy in the coming weeks, rather than squabble about preference deals."

Environment Victoria Chief Executive Kelly O'Shanassy said the environment is no longer an 'optional extra' for political parties, and that it should be core business for all the parties - including the Coalition, adding âfor the sake of a strong democracy, and for our state's environment, it's vital that the alternative government provides a comprehensive, well-thought out set of environmental policies.

"In three weeks time Ted Baillieu or John Brumby will be elected Premier for the next four years. The Coalition in particular, but also the ALP, need to get busy releasing further policies to convince voters of their environmental credentials."

Friends of the Earth Campaigns Coordinator Cam Walker said that although the Coalition supported John Brumby's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, they are opposing key measures needed to reach that target such as replacing Hazelwood power station and building new wind farms.

Walker explained that âclimate change is a grave threat to Victoria, but it also offers opportunities for the growth of a clean energy economy.

"We hope that the Coalition will deliver a detailed climate change policy in the next three weeks."

The first environment policy scorecard was released late last month, and the final scorecard will be announced on the 24th November.

Image: Wilsons Promontory.