On the failures of Tanya Plibersek:
Anne Graham writes: I used to think Tanya Plibersek was okay. Not anymore. She hasn’t even tried to action election promises, one of which affects my life very directly and breaks my heart as I live surrounded by the promised Great Koala National Park on the mid-north coast.
Many people have worked hard for decades to achieve this. Documents have been published showing potential walking tracks through the Bellingen Valley from the beach to the Dorrigo Plateau. Or mapping in detail native rainforest growing in “plantation” forest, with koala sightings and habitat marked.
After the 2019-20 bushfires, a large, genetically diverse koala population at Port Macquarie was decimated. The Bellingen koala population is now the largest and healthiest on the north coast. Its survival is critical. Koalas are expected to be extinct by 2050. Who would have thought a Labor government would have that attributed to its political heritage?
Worse, it has permitted clear-fell logging to continue in many areas within the park, despite locals reporting and mapping koala sightings. It’s heartbreaking to drive past these areas now.
Plibersek has been contacted many times on this issue by locals in our community and groups who have formed to protect particular areas: Friends of Pine Creek, Friends of Tucker’s Nob, Friends of Newry Forest and North East Forest Alliance, among others.
You will remember the appeal for funds for the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital during that last bad bushfire. It went global fast, and unexpectedly an enormous amount was raised. Now there are reports we have the worst record for mammal extinction in the world — 200 species. And we are clearing koala habitat with no regard to their fast-approaching extinction.
We love to thrust koalas into the arms of visiting dignitaries, but don’t give a f**k about their survival.
Neil Buchanan writes: Nick Feik’s article made sad, but true, reading. One had the feeling that when Plibersek was given the environment portfolio, as opposed to the education one in which she had a lot of experience, it was a poisoned chalice. So it has turned out to be.
Almost nothing, after much trumpeting about the incompetence of previous governments, has been achieved. Allowing the opening of more coal mines is the last straw.
When the Albanese government was elected, there was, at least for me, a sense of hope and possibility. Sadly, it has proven to be totally risk-averse and progressively more and more devoid of purpose. Dr No may yet cut the mustard!
Gordon Neil writes: “Given the opportunities handed to her by a parliamentary crossbench strongly inclined to help” — earth to Nick! Good for you, you’ve picked a side, but don’t pretend this is objective analysis.
The Greens don’t want Labor to succeed any more than His Majesty’s loyal opposition.
Wendy Tubman writes: What has Tanya Plibersek achieved as environment minister?
Fractured the hearts of all those who voted for the ALP largely on the basis of its preelection promises to address climate change.
Undermined the credibility of the ALP government as a whole.
Created a system whereby irrevocable environmental damage can and does occur without retribution.
Knowingly increased threats to endangered iconic species.
Allowed the fossil fuel industry to run rough-shod over Australia’s environment.
Lost the support of concerned voters nationwide.
Lost the respect of countries and environmentalists around the world.
Anne Pender writes: Nothing. No, worse than nothing, because despite the need for massive government investment in the environment, there’s none.
No, worse than not spending on the environment, the spending still all goes to the fossil fuel industry.
No, worse than all of the above, Plibersek is still kidding herself that the people who wanted her to make big, brave changes believe what she says.
She hasn’t just let all the right-minded people down massively, she’s totally failed the country and all of its animals — and she had so much support. People believed in her. Shame.
Jim McBryde writes: I can’t express my dismay at how ineffective and damaging to the environment Tanya Plibersek has been. Allowing new gas fields at Beetaloo Basin and the expansion of coal mines just beggars belief, along with actually giving public money to support some of these projects.
I don’t think Labor learned anything from the past election and the teal wave coming through. It doesn’t deserve to win the next federal election, but as usual I can’t vote Liberal either — they would be worse for the environment. Yet again the young people of this country get screwed and their future will be further damaged due to inaction and harmful action in yet another wasted federal Parliament and election cycle.
I think a hung parliament might be the only way we get some real action on climate change and protecting the environment.
