Reports of a mass koala massacre in Victoria by a private logging company require an urgent independent investigation, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said she had written to the Victorian and Federal Environment Ministers asking them to investigate and explain the gruesome footage that had emerged showing hundreds of koalas bulldozed to their deaths at a bluegum plantation.
"Thousands of koalas have died in the fires across the country and now it seems even more are dead because of logging in their habitat," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"Australians already heartbroken by the images of burned koalas, will be ashamed and distressed that this is happening.
"Our environmental laws and our government should be protecting our precious wildlife not allowing private companies to inflict incomprehensible cruelty on innocent animals.
"The private companies involved must explain their actions and if laws have been broken they must be held accountable. I've contacted the companies involved seeking an urgent meeting."
Senator Hanson-Young said that as Chair of the Senate's Environment and Communications Committee she would seek to have those involved brought before the Faunal Extinction Inquiry.
"We cannot allow anyone to get away with this type of cruelty and harm and it's up to governments to do something to stop it," Senator Hanson-Young said.
