Take a hard look

AUSTRALIA has an appalling record in extinction rates for flora and fauna, a fact Senator Eric Abetz seems incapable of recognising when it comes to controlled burning of forest detritus, material essential to certain ecosystems. Fire-bombing native forests, which is the forestry regeneration practice in Tasmania, hardly takes this into account even though there are less damaging methods.

I suggest Abetz takes a walk through some forestry plantations and criticises that industry for their failure to control flammable litter that piles up between the closely planted trees. Why don’t they do controlled burns in their own forests? He seems to ignore the fact the actual existence of the Greens is due to the deficit of environmental concern by the major political parties because it conflicts with big business and short-term gains through financial sponsorship. If Abetz wants the end of the Greens, the solution is simple, protect the environment for this and future generations. Do it despite big business and show some understanding of the holistic picture of environmental issues. The major parties are short on ethics and principle on the environment and I for one would love to see the Greens redundant.

Bridget Landrell West Hobart