Surprise Issue That Could Swing the Election in Australia
New polling shows strong support for ending native forest logging, a key issue in upcoming elections
Australia, Native Forest Logging, Eden Monaro, Richmond, Tasmania, Labor, Greens
Canberra: There’s a buzz in the air about a surprising issue that might just tip the scales in the upcoming election. It’s all about native forest logging, and it’s gaining traction among voters.
Recent polling by the Australian Conservation and Biodiversity Foundation shows that many folks want to see an end to logging in native forests. This is especially true in key battleground areas where Labor needs to hold on to their seats.
For instance, in Eden Monaro, a whopping 60% of voters are on board with stopping native logging. In Richmond, that number jumps to 72%. These areas are crucial for Labor if they want to keep their majority.
And let’s not forget Tasmania, where the stakes are high. Labor is fighting to keep the seat of Lyons, which they currently hold by a slim margin of just 0.9%. Interestingly, 58% of voters there also support ending native logging.
ACBF’s executive director, Lyndon Schneiders, is urging political parties to pay attention to these numbers. He believes that policies on logging could really influence the outcome of this tight election.
Schneiders pointed out that voters want the government to invest in plantation timber instead. This could help tackle the housing crisis while creating jobs in forest management and protecting against bushfires.
While native logging is already banned in places like Victoria and Western Australia, it’s still a hot topic. Critics argue that it’s not just bad for the environment but also hinders Australia’s efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has said that Labor plans to regulate native logging better. However, she hasn’t committed to ending the practice altogether.
The Greens are pushing for stricter regulations, wanting to close loopholes that allow logging to continue despite national laws. They believe that the Prime Minister has a choice to make when Parliament returns in February: work with them to protect the forests or push through laws that allow logging to continue.
On the flip side, the Coalition’s environment spokesman, Jono Duniam, argues that transitioning to plantation forestry is unrealistic. He warns that ending native forestry could lead to worse environmental practices in other countries.
As the election approaches, it’s clear that the issue of native forest logging is resonating with voters. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months.