Labor's Forest Policy

Labor has already protected the Otways - establishing the Great Otways National Park.

Last week Labor announced that if re-elected we would go further and:

• Immediately protect the last significant stands of Victoria's old growth forests that are currently available for logging, including the Goolengook Block. In total this will add almost 33,500 hectares of forest to the reserve system to be protected under the National Parks Act;
  
• Create the Great Victorian Alpine National Park by adding 5000 hectares of State forest, currently available for logging, to link the Errinundra National Park to the Snowy River and Alpine National Parks;
  
• Immediately add 2500 hectares of icon State Forest in East Gippsland, currently available for logging, to the National Parks and reserve system. This includes key rainforest stands, threatened species habitat and mature forest areas
  
• Create a new Cobboboonee National Park, and Forest Park outside Portland, protecting the habitat of the spot tailed quoll, southern brown bandicoot, long nosed potoroo and the powerful owl
  
• Create new Red Gum National and Forest Parks if recommended by the Victorian Environment Assessment Council
  
• Expand the number of Park Rangers across Victoria by adding 15 new Park Rangers and continuing to fund the 50 new Park Rangers committed in 2002; and
  
• Invest $10 million in the protection of heritage sites at Point Nepean, when the final 90 hectares is incorporated in the Point Nepean National Park. Commit $500,000 to create a new 1.5 km walking track linking London Bridge and the Quarantine Station.

I am interested to continue in hearing from environmental activists in Brunswick about what you believe our future priorities should be.

I am always available to sit down with anyone who wants to discuss issues over coffee

There is no doubt that if a Liberal government is elected on Saturday then not only would the Goolengook NOT be saved, but many of our achievements in preserving Victoria's old growth forests would be wound back.

Their record from their last period of government is clear.

That's why I cannot understand why the Greens are offering tickets in key marginal seats which allows voters to preference the Liberal Party. My record on preferences is clear. I intervened to help stop Labor considering a deal with Family First and I firmly believe that political parties should consider their principles when allocating their preferences.

By voting 1 Labor, not only will you be voting for a party that will protect Victoria's Old Growth Forests, but you will be voting for a candidate in Brunswick who has been a committed environmentalist for all of his adult life.

I look forward to working with you to advance our common cause.

Carlo Carli
Member for Brunswick

PS For Information on How to Vote on Saturday please go to http://www.carlocarli.net