Voltaire’s aphorism, ‘perfect is the enemy of good’ is quoted often in politics and mostly directed at the Greens.
The current challenge is the delivery framework for the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). The NSW ALP promise is now contingent on its proposal to the federal government for the protection of state forests under the Improved Forest Management Method (INFM) using Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU).
It appears abhorrent to ignore the moral responsibility to protect nature for its intrinsic values and instead allow polluters to buy their way out.
However, the INFM presents an incentive to end the logging of Crown forests, our forests. It presents a no excuses scenario for the ALP. It would also deliver Indigenous jobs and management and urgent environmental repair.
But, the National Party has proposed a disallowance of the INFM in the federal parliament, and if supported, it’s gone and a worse proposal designed by the forest industry is possible with Coalition and One Nation support. The Greens are confronted with a voting dilemma.
I was initially outraged and opposed the INFM, but then I researched and sought advice from people I trust, those who have devoted decades to protecting nature. Since the 1979 Terania Rainforest campaign the ongoing work of North East Forest Alliance (NEFA), local campaigners and scientists, including the Conservation Ecologist Association (CEA) has been relentless. They support the INFM. Also in support is the GKNP Aboriginal Advisory Panel.
Professor David Lindenmayer, forest scientist and law Professor Andrew Macintosh, who exposed the rorts of offsets, are supporters. The INFM defines 100-year forest protection, and has no offsetting for coal and gas, stringent monitoring and reporting, and funding.
It was 30 years ago when ALP Opposition leader Bob Carr promised Greens candidate Ian Cohen an end to oldgrowth logging. To achieve that outcome, the NSW Environmental Trust Fund was raided for $60 million to buy out industry and establish the protected areas. Ending native forest logging should’ve followed but didn’t.
Protecting precious forests and biodiversity is a priority and time is running out. The INFM could deliver the end of state native forest logging and deliver more parks, including the Richmond River Koala Parks and the Great Southern Forest NP.
With no perfect outcome on offer, I support the INFM.
If you feel passionate about this issue, contact Greens leader, Larissa Waters. For more info https://www.nefa.org.au.
♦ Jan Barham is the former Greens mayor of Byron Shire Council and former Greens NSW MLC.
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