DIEBACK PLAN SENT FOR IMPROVEMENT

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In the Senate yesterday, the Coalition and Greens joined forces to disallow the Threat Abatement Plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora Cinnamomi.

North Queensland based Senator Ian Macdonald, who is also the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern Australia, and Greens Senator Rachel Siewert led the debate to disallow the plan.

Senator Macdonald said that the 2009 plan was grossly inadequate.

“This disease exists in soils and causes dieback not only in natural ecosystems but in agricultural plantations as well” said Senator Macdonald.

“Phytophthora Cinnamomi is a major issue right across Australia but it particularly affects paw paw growers on the Atherton Tablelands - just up the road from my office in North Queensland.

“The plan put forward by Labor does not contain any specific targets or any specific completion dates and there is no facility to ensure that state governments actually implement the abatement plan.

“Some of the information relied upon in the plan is out of date and undermines the effectiveness of the plan.

“The Coalition and the Greens joined to disallow this plan to force the Government back to the table to come up with a plan that works.

“Empty gestures are becoming the trademark of the Labor Government and it’s just not good enough

“As a result of the disallowance, the Government has to rewrite the plan and, together with the Greens, we can make sure the plan has the teeth to stop dieback before it is given the opportunity to spread further.

END

18 November 2009

Media contact Gordon Terry (07) 4771 3066 or 0427 960 255                                           

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