Subjects: National Disability Insurance Scheme, Tasmanian Forest Agreement

The Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, uses Question Time in the Senate to ask the Minister representing the Prime Minister about his remarkable claim the previous evening that Australia has "too much locked up forest".

The Australian Greens congratulate and pay tribute to Miranda Gibson for her tireless campaign to protect Tasmania's magnificent forests.

Miranda has been living in the Observer Tree in the southern forests of Tasmania for a record 451 days. This is a significant milestone for conservation and is now the longest running tree sit in Australian history.

In take-out-the-trash week, Environment Minister, Tony Burke, has today announced the first step in the trashing of the world renowned Tarkine wilderness.

"We can now expect Minister Burke to approve several more mines, and excise their footprint from any Heritage listing, once again putting short term profits ahead of the long-term interests of the Tarkine and the communities who depend on it," Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

Senator Christine Milne addressed the press to respond to environment minister Tony Burke's announcement that Tasmania would become the 15th National Landscape

Transcript

Subjects:  National Landscape, Tarkine

JOURNALIST: What's your reaction to the news today by Tony Burke that Tasmania, most of Tasmania's been added as the 15th National Landscape ?

Please see attached audio files of the press conference with Senators Christine Milne and Peter Whish-Wilson

Subjects: super trawler, Tarkine, home insulation, Kevin Rudd

"The Tasmanian Government's approval of the Shree Minerals iron ore mine in the Tarkine now puts the ball firmly in Tony Burke's court to protect the precious habitat of the Tasmanian devil." Australian Greens Leaders, Senator Christine Milne said today.

"This destructive decision demonstrates again how Labor can't be trusted on the environment and they are even prepared to jeopardise the survival of the Tasmanian devil.

"Now it's up to federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to step in and fix this mess.

"Mining the Tarkine is to Lara Giddings what damming the Franklin was to Robin Gray." Senator Christine Milne, leader of the Australian Greens said today.

"Both these premiers are so entrenched in the view that destroying places for short-term economic outcomes and minimal jobs that will fail to see that long-term protection is a far better result for Tasmania. The premier must not give in to Paul Howes' bullying tactics, dropping in to whip up anger to divide the community.