The swift parrot is on the brink of extinction, and only hundreds of birds exist. The report released today by the Wilderness Society, BirdLife Tasmania and the Tree Projects calls on the State Government to take the essential step needed to save the swift parrot – scrapping Tasmania’s annual minimum sawlog quota.
The Report’s Protection Plan builds on the work of ANU scientists and conservationists who have confirmed the biggest threat to the critically endangered swift parrot’s survival is native forest logging. This parrot’s future hinges on the reduction, or removal, of Forestry Tasmania’s mandated 137,000 cubic metre annual sawlog target.
As stated by Greens senator for lutruwita/Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Instead of prioritising the protection of this nationally significant and critically endangered species, Scott Morrison is politicising forestry and looking set to scrap the federal recovery plan for the swift parrot.
“A real leader would be protecting what makes this place special, its biodiversity and iconic species. Instead, he is championing climate-denying forest destruction and pushing species like the swift parrot towards extinction.
“Federal Labor have been silent on the protection of lutruwita/Tasmania’s forests.
“In the balance of power after the federal election the Greens will push the next Government and its state counterparts to support an end to native forest logging in Tasmania – like we’ve seen in WA and Victoria. It’s the right thing to do for the climate and biodiversity restoration, and it’s what needed to protect critically endangered species like the swift parrot.”
