The Greens have established a Senate inquiry into the Abbott government's moves to reduce the size of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area to access forests to log.

The inquiry will report by 15 May 2014 and submissions can be sent directly to the Senate committee: ec.sen@aph.gov.au

These are the terms of reference:

That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 May 2014:

The Abbott government has turned its back on saving the Tassie devil with proposed changes to federal environmental law announced today, Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"Federal law requires the Environment Minister to consider advice about how to protect threatened plants and animals when deciding to approve projects," Senator Milne said.

"Under these changes the minister would be able to approve mines in the Tarkine, and other areas of the state, without considering a key piece of expert advice on what the devil and other threatened species need to survive.

Federal Labor's announcement today that Tasmanian regional development money will be decoupled from forest conservation shows they can't be trusted on the environment, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"Throughout this process we've said money for the industry or regions should be tied to conservation outcomes so the rug couldn't be pulled out at the last minute," Senator Milne said.

"Today, we see federal Labor's final betrayal in their promise to ensure long-term forest conservation in Tasmania.

"Kevin Rudd's $100 million plan is a mixed bag for Tasmania," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"There is no way federal dollars should be propping up Ta Ann. Tasmania's brand of clean, green and clever needs to be boosted, not undermined.

"Tasmania needs new industries that build on our environment and our global reputation.

"Tasmanians have been waiting for the hundred million dollars from the intergovernmental agreement to boost regional jobs and new industries. But this money was always contingent upon protection of the forests.

Today's World Heritage listing of high conservation value forests on the eastern boundary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area has been a long-time coming and will be celebrated by conservationists across the generations, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"It's fantastic that after so many years of campaigning conservationists around Tasmania, and indeed the world, can celebrate the protection of these magnificent wild forests that contain the tallest flowering plants on earth and an array of wonderful wildlife," Senator Milne said.

The Australian Greens have celebrated World Environment Day by announcing a new plan to protect the country's national parks from attacks by state governments.

The Greens in the Senate will move to add national parks as a new matter of environmental significance, joining matters such as threatened species and World Heritage Areas that are protected nationally.

The areas (totaling 493,482 ha, not 504,000 ha) can be broken down into the following categories:

Blog by Australian Greens forests spokesperson Lee Rhiannon
Tasmanian’s forests are still not safe from logging. The new Tasmanian Forests Agreement does not provide the protection needed to safeguard these unique and precious forest habitats.

A worrying aspect of this Agreement is that it includes an attempt to silence the community. The final decision on the permanent reservation of forests is contingent upon reports from an unelected special council on the behaviour of conservationists involved in protests or market place action.

Dear friend,

From our beginning, the Greens have stood with the community to protect Australia's precious forests.

Yesterday the Tasmanian Parliament passed legislation that was supposed to protect some of our most important iconic wilderness areas.

Tragically, the legislation fails to end the long-term threats to Tasmanian native forests by delaying conservation outcomes until 2014 and beyond.