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MEDIA RELEASES CULL NEEDS TO CLARIFY NATIONALS STANCE ON NATIVE VEGETATION: DRAPER Independent candidate for the seat of Tamworth in the forthcoming NSW State election Peter Draper has called on current National Party Member Mr Cull to clarify his party's position on the Native Vegetation Act. Mr Draper pointed out that the National Party Candidate for Northern Tablelands Mr Peter Bailey claimed today on television news media that the Coalition had never planned to abolish the Act. In a public document entitled "Nationals State Policies" put out by the party prior to the 1999 State election, the National Party's Plans for Land Management detailed 22 policy proposals. The first policy item on the document clearly states: "The National Party will abolish SEPP 46 and the Native Vegetation Conservation Act and replace it with sensible legislation that does not restrict a farmers rights or ability to earn a living." (A copy of this document follows this release.) "National Party Shadow Land and Water Minister Don Page has since been quoted in Hansard as saying: "We generally support the objectives outlined in the Native Vegetation Conservation Act" commented Mr Draper. " Mr Culls silence on this very important matter is of great concern," said Mr Draper today. " The electorate of Tamworth deserves to know where the National Party stands on issues of public importance such as this. The fact that Mr Bailey has denied that the National Party ever planned to abolish this contentious legislation shows that he is either misguided or misinformed, and Mr Cull needs to set the record straight." The National Party has to date failed to inform the electorate that every National Party MP supported the Threatened Species legislation when it was introduced in 1995. The Nationals also unanimously supported amendments that have lead to the current situation whereby the Scientific Committee panel is neither accountable to the Minister or to the Parliament. "I believe that consultation with farmers is the key to developing legislation that will protect native vegetation, but the legislation must also allow farmers to maintain their ability to generate a living from their properties," said Mr Draper. " We need farmers input into this issue, so that their practical knowledge and experience can be used to develop positive environmental outcomes. Despite the fact that the majority of farmers have already demonstrated responsible environmental practices, their input has not been listened to or considered." "Mr Cull and the National
Party needs to make their policy position clear on these issues
so that the electorate can make decisions based on fact, not
subterfuge," concluded Mr Draper. End Release |