25 August 2021
The Greens have called on Environment Minister Sussan Ley to protect Tasmanian devils from becoming mining-industry roadkill by rejecting Venture Minerals' application to vary the EPBC approval for its Riley Creek mine in the takayna/Tarkine region.
The EDO Tasmania has launched legal action on behalf of conservationists to stop Venture Minerals from trucking ore at night along the 112kms stretch of critical Tasmanian devil habitat.
Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson said:
"With the stroke of a pen Sussan Ley could do the right thing and reject this application, and in doing so gain some credibility as our nation's Environment Minister, while putting an end to a timely and costly court case.
"The takayna/Tarkine area provides critical habitat for Tasmanian devils that are free from the infectious cancer that has decimated their population in other parts of the state - this is the key reason restrictions were placed on the Venture Minerals mine in this area nearly a decade ago.
"This area also provides habitat for other nationally-listed species vulnerable to extinction, including quolls, giant wedge-tailed eagles and masked owls.
"Independent expert reports have recommended National and World Heritage listings for parts of the takayna/Tarkine rainforest for decades.
"It should be a no-brainer: as Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley should step up to protect endangered species from becoming extinct by protecting takayna/Tarkine as a National Park.
"Minister Ley must show leadership and resist the toxic politics that thrives in the marginal seat of Braddon, pitting those who care about nature against the interests of those who seek to exploit takayna/Tarkine for a few bucks.
"The Greens will never stop advocating for stronger federal environmental laws including a zero extinction target, stronger environmental protections and an independent watchdog to hold governments, miners and developers to account."
