Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Justice spokesperson
Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin has endangered Tasmania’s clean, green land, water and air by denying funding to the Environmental Defenders Office of Tasmania.
The Hodgman Government had the chance to chip in and help the EDO after the federal government walked away from its responsibility, but they have failed the community by not including the EDO in the Solicitors Guarantee Fund grant round.
The Productivity Commission has given the tick to services like the EDO but its advice has fallen on deaf ears in Tasmania.
The EDO ultimately saves the state government money by providing advice, representing clients, avoiding or shortening court cases, and identifying flaws in legislation. Without the EDO we’re likely to see more self-represented parties in our courts and tribunals, which impedes efficient court functioning and disempowers the community.
This is another example of this government's determination to take every opportunity to roll out the red carpet to developers, while leaving the community without a voice and the environment without champions.
Defending the environment is more than planting trees and cleaning up roadside rubbish. The EDO has played a vital role in keeping our land, water and air clean for future generations and protecting our unique plants and animals.