Public sector union lashes environment budget in wake of worrying report

The state’s public sector union has taken the government to task over funding in the wake of the State of the Environment report. Find out why they are angry.

The Pieman River is set among rainforest at the southern end of the takayna / Tarkine wilderness area. Photo – Tourism Tasmania

A public sector union has lashed the government saying it “beggars belief” it is cutting $5.1m from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in the wake of a damning State of the Environment report.

However, Parks and Environment Minister Nick Duigan says the government is committed to protecting Tasmania’s pristine natural environment and protecting the state’s unique species.

The State of the Environment report, the first in 15 years, was released last week and

identified that 16 of 29 environmental categories were “getting worse”.

CPSU General Secretary Thirza White. Picture: Chris Kidd

Community and Public Sector Union secretary Thirza White said with only two of the 29 categories analysed in the report showing improvement, cutting the NRET budget was “short-sighted”.

“Tasmania’s natural heritage is the jewel in our state’s crown, not just ecologically but also economically,” she said.

“It beggars belief that the Rockliff government would further undermine the Department that manages our state’s greatest asset with $5.1m in cuts.

“We need skilled people on the ground to identify challenges, provide solutions and roll out projects that will ensure the long-term health of our natural environment – we simply can’t afford more cuts.”

“The Rockliff government is big on spending announcements but not transparent on where the cuts are going to come from or communicating the risks of slashing more public service jobs,”

Ms White urged the government to heed the advice of economist Saul Eslake who suggested taxation measures to fund government priorities or face further threats to the environment.

“Will the Orange-bellied Parrot be further exposed to extinction risk?,” she said.

“Will our kelp forests continue to decline?

“Will we see more additions to the threatened flora and fauna list as a result of these cuts?”

Environment Minister Nick Duigan. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Mr Duigan pointed to government expenditure for parks and environment and said it was currently reviewing the State of the Environment report.

“The 2024-25 Budget invests more than $736m in parks and environment initiatives, including $44m for environmental management, analytical services and threatened species, $14m more than previously,” he said.

“We recognise the State of Environment report is a significant body of work.

“The government is currently reviewing the Report, its detailed findings and recommendations.

“A thorough Government response to the recommendations will issue in due course.”

Greens environment spokesman Vica Bayley said the Greens would ask questions about the State of the Environment report in budget estimates hearings which start on Monday.

Originally published as Public sector union lashes environment budget in wake of worrying report