WA Environment Minister Bill Marmion is steadfastly refusing to answer a serious question put to him both in Parliament and in private correspondence.
Earlier this year Shadow Environment Minister Sally Talbot sought permission from Marmion for a joint meeting with herself, the Conservation Commission and members of the Global Warming Forest Group (GWFG) to discuss issues relating to dieback prevention in logging coupes. Minister Marmion refused, but instead offered Ms Talbot a meeting with the Conservation Commission WITHOUT the Global Warming Forest Group present.
Stunned by this refusal, Ms Talbot tabled a question in Parliament asking Marmion why he had refused the joint meeting. The Minister’s official response made no attempt to address the question.
Since that time GWFG has written to the Minister twice, however, he maintains his refusal to address the question.
In a previous meeting with the Conservation Commission, GWFG exposed how the FPC/DEC regularly turn a blind eye to logging contractors not complying with adequate dieback prevention procedures.
In the meeting the Conservation Commission admitted that the problem with effective dieback prevention is that it is too expensive. In other
words (unofficially) they accept that, in order to save money, present logging methods are seriously exacerbating the problem of dieback spread in the forest.
As the Shadow Minister lacks the empirical knowledge that GWFG has from years of logging coupe inspections, she is less likely to draw the same confessions from the Conservation Commission as GWFG. This is almost certainly the reason the Government is refusing a joint meeting and is refusing to give an explanation for that refusal.
GWFG is asking people to phone or write to the Bill Marmion demanding an explanation as to why he won’t consent to a JOINT meeting with Hon. Sally Talbot, the Conservation Commission and the Global Warming Forest Group. Please BCC any correspondence you send to the Minister to gwfg.wa@hotmail.com
Hon. William (Bill) Richard Marmion
Minister for Environment
Ministerial Office:
Ph: 9220 5000
Fax: 9220 5001
Electorate Office:
Ph: 9386 3064
Fax: 9389 1915
