top of page
Search

AN IMPORTANT ELECTION

"VOTE LIKE DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON IT, BECAUSE IT DOES"


Above: a few examples of government-sanctioned environmental destruction. Clockwise from top left, 1. Critically endangered Plains Wanderer: "Recreational" quail shooting is a known threat to this bird but neither state nor federal governments have stopped it. 2. Australia's rarest native duck, the Freckled Duck, collateral damage in "recreational" duck shooting. 3. Pelican found shot during "recreational" duck shooting season at Kerang, a RAMSAR area internationally recognised for environmental significance. 4. The world is watching in horror as Koalas are gunned down in Budj Bim National Park. See koalas shot by helicopter.

 

Regional Victorians- in fact most Victorians - are feeling snubbed by the government which thumbed its nose at the key finding of the largest Parliamentary Inquiry in Victoria's history*: to ban "recreational" bird shooting. This is the same government which is yet to release the review of the state's half-century-old Wildlife Act, yet rushed through new hunting regulations for shooters. It's the same government that spends millions of taxpayer funds propping up an unpopular activity that most oppose, and added 50% more shooting time this year despite duck numbers crashing by half.

 

But unfortunately ignoring voters and failing to take care of our precious ecosystems may not be limited just to the state of Victoria. Read on.

 

*the Inquiry attracted a record number of submissions - more than 10,000.


 

A critical federal election

 

Australia has suffered catastrophic losses of wildlife and habitat, according to the last published official five-year scorecard on the State of the Environment released just after the 2022 federal election.

 

Leading scientists have pleaded with the Albanese government to urgently ramp up protections to halt the escalating rate of extinction. But reforms have stalled - a travesty for our environment and economy.

 

In a response to the State of the Environment Report, Investment Magazine quoted experts saying:

 

  • “For millions of Australian investors’ beneficiaries, their long-term financial security and the stability of our economy is enmeshed with the health of our land, air and water."

     

  • “While climate change clearly impacts nature, the impact of biodiversity loss could be more significant than climate change.” 

 

More than ever, we need leaders with the moral strength to do the right thing by biodiversity and the environment.

 

The future is in YOUR hands

 

Who are the candidates promising to represent you in your electorate? Where do they stand on such issues of environmental importance? What are they doing about it?

 

We urge supporters to do their homework before heading to the polls. A list of candidates per electorate can be found by clicking on the button below.

 

We also urge supporters not to be afraid of putting smaller parties at the top - it sends a strong message that Australians want change. Your vote will not be wasted even if those parties are not successful, because your later preferences then take effect.

 

Number the boxes according to YOUR preferences. And for the Senate, numbering the boxes below the line, controls your own preferences.

 

As discussed in the short video below, this may be the last chance smaller parties and independents have, to be elected and influence government.




 


Juice Media have made a clever satirical infomercial -

(WARNING! coarse language)


Watch it HERE.






 

Here's the goss

 

  • Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has rated some of the key parties and independents for the federal election. ACF says the Coalition has ‘failed every single test’ while Labor passes with 54% and Greens achieve 98%. CEO Kelly O’Shanassy said Australians “really cared about nature and a safe climate”, issues that had barely been mentioned during the election campaign. Labor had lost points for weakening nature protection laws and for continuing to approve new coal and gas mines. The Coalition scored a single point for its acknowledgment of concerns that AUKUS could leave the door open to Australia accepting high-level nuclear waste from overseas. The Greens and several community independents – including Andrew Wilkie, Caz Heise, Monique Ryan, Nicolette Boele, and Zali Steggall – all scored above 90% for policies that included protecting nature.

 

  • The Australian Alliance for Animals scores five well-known parties here.


     

Still not sure? Reach out to us on info@regionalvictoriansOTDS.com


For the beautiful birds who cannot speak for themselves, and the communities who love being home to them, thank you.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page