IS A KEY ELECTION ISSUE –
BOB CARR ON NOTICE
The Greens
Legislative Council, Parliament House
Macquarie Street, SYDNEY 2OOO
Ph: 02 9230 2603 Fax: 02 9230 2267
Mobile: 0409 989 466
Email: ian.cohen@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Greens MLC Ian Cohen today warned the Government and Premier Bob Carr that the South Coast charcoal plant was a key election issue for the Greens.
“The Greens NSW have formally made the Charcoal Plant a key issue for next years election,” said Mr Cohen
“We completely oppose a charcoal plant either on the South Coast or anywhere else in NSW which might burn woodchip and burn native forests.”
“Effectively, this is now a key issue in our preference negotiations with the Carr Government.”
“I spoke at the highly successful No Charcoal Rally on the Sydney Domain last Sunday. I was most impressed by the range of conservation groups and communities represented there and the strong passion against the plant.”
“I understand that several hundred people at the Rally volunteered to actively campaign in Sydney against the plant so I anticipate the Labor party and the Premier are going to have their ears well and truly unblocked on this issue.”
“They have certainly not been listening to the vehement protests of the South Coast community against this archaic and barbarous proposal.”
Indeed, as evidenced by the Treasurer, Michael Egan, in Parliament yesterday the only thing the ALP really seem to be listening to is the sound of dollars and jobs in Lithgow and the silicon smelter company which will use the charcoal.
“The Treasurer set up a Dorothy Dix question from his own party so that he could proclaim that ‘.. the New South Wales Government has been working and continues to work hard to secure the Lithgow silicon smelter project..’. They are certainly not listening to the electorate which 80% opposes woodchipping and burning of forests.”
“The Greens want real forestry jobs and real economic benefits and that means plantations not more woodchipping and burning of our beautiful and complex forests.”
