Significant forest industry players are trying to undermine Victoria's ban on native forest logging on public land by using deceptive language to continue destroying native forests for profit, the Greens say.
As stated by Greens Spokesperson for Forests Senator Nick McKim:
"Revelations made by the ABC regarding the Healthy Forests Foundation are extremely concerning."
"We cannot allow rebadged industrial logging companies to just rebrand to skirt the law and continue their destructive practices."
"Logging operators are notorious for rising from the ashes and resuming their destructive operations under new names or in new states."
"These companies pose a serious threat to the progress we've made in protecting our forests."
"Forestry Minister Julie Collins needs to clarify whether $1.4million in grant money awarded to the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, or any other federal grants or subsidies, have been funneled to Healthy Forests."
"Logging interests have for decades used public funds to subsidise operations which would otherwise be unviable, or used them for purposes different to those intended by government."
As stated by Greens Spokesperson for First Nations Senator Dorinda Cox:
"I am concerned about the issues created by particular industries in relation to Blackwashing, the destruction of our country including native forests."
"This is language I am particularly aware has been used in my home state of Western Australia."
"We need to ensure that when we use terms like 'First-Nations led' and 'Indigenous knowledges' to describe practices, that they are in fact grounded in our ancient ways of knowing and being with the land as our mother and protecting her indigeneity through our leadership and stewardship."
"I will continue to watch this development and speak to Traditional Owners from this area about the approach they are taking, to ensure that the agreements made actually offer and assert our sovereign rights as First Peoples."
