The SA Greens welcome the Biosecurity Act which will enable the State to better protect our critically important natural environment. The Bill is set to be debated this week.
Recent work by the Australian Conservation Foundation found that approximately 50% of Australia’s economy (some, $896 billion of GDP) has a moderate or very high direct dependence on nature. Nature and the economy are inextricably linked.
Quotes Attributable to Tammy Franks MLC, SA Greens Spokesperson for Climate, Environment & Water:
With the natural environment out of balance due to climate change and other human impacts, it is more important than ever that we have legislation that can effectively address such problems as they arise.
Putting environmental significance front and centre alongside economic significance, ensures we protect our precious natural environment for current and future generations, at a time when it is more important than ever before.
The recent loss of almost 500 pine trees in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs underscores the importance of informed and targeted responses to biosecurity risks. Giant Pine Scale, which had infested these trees, would devastate our timber industry (value at $1.46 billion in the 21-22FY), if it gained a foothold and could easily wipe out the pine amenity trees that play an important role in our parks and reserves. Many of these provide food for cockatoos, as valuable replacement food sources for the native species that have been removed since European colonisation.
We call on the State Government to include First Nations voices and knowledges in an independent body of experts that can provide advice to the Minister on Biosecurity issues. These changes would make a good Bill better.