Environment Cuts Threaten Australia's Security: ACF

This is the text of a statement on the 2002-03 Federal Budget, released by the Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation, Don Henry:

"If we're serious about national security, then we have to tackle environmental security. This year's federal budget is disappointing because it won't turn around the devastating impacts of climate change and salinity," commented Australian Conservation Foundation, Executive Director, Don Henry.

"The Prime Minister recently said that 'environmental issues were now mainstream bread and butter everyday issues that everybody is concerned about'. But the cuts to the Natural Heritage Trust and greenhouse emission programs in this year's Budget mean that the health of Australia's environment will continue to go backwards."

"Based on last year's estimates greenhouse expenditure has been cut by $ 100 million dollars. Instead of the short-sighted cuts to greenhouse programs, we need national greenhouse laws and increased funding to meet our Kyoto target."

"The Prime Minister, John Howard, has described salinity as Australia's greatest environmental problem, but tonight's Budget lacks the muscle to turn around an issue that CSIRO estimates costs the nation $1.7 billion annually."

"This Budget includes a $25 million cut to the Natural Heritage Trust which will compromise the nation's ability to tackle critical issues such as land clearing, the main cause of salinity."

ACF commends the modest funding for the National Oceans Office that will assist in the development of regional marine plans.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------