Is preserving jobs compatible with protecting the environment?
3CR Breakfast Show on Friday, 26 February from 8.07am - 8.25am.
Panel:
Jane Calvert (or a representative of the Forestry Division of the CFMEU) -
to be confirmed
Martin Daly (Friends of the Earth, Earthworker)
Gavin McFadzean (The Wilderness Society)
A debate has erupted as a result of conflict between loggers who are
members of the CFMEU Forestry Division and environmentalists in the Otway
Ranges late last month. Environmentalists accused loggers of abusing their
human rights, of their being taken hostage inside the forest, harrassed and
prevented from leaving the Otways blockade.
Meanwhile, loggers are responding to the charge by accusing
environmentalists of obstructing lawful logging operations in the state's
forests. They have pointed out that to cease logging would mean a loss of
jobs and that the industry is already making considerable efforts to ensure
sustainability through regeneration.
The debate of whether saving the environment and providing employment are
mutually exclusive has not only occurred in Victoria, but is being
reflected in Western Australia and New South Wales.
Some issues we wish to bring out in the discussion include:
What is the character of the timber industry in Australia and is it
sustainable?
Can the present program of regeneration ensure sustainability?
Should the environment be first priority in these difficult economic times?
Why should unionists and workers in general support the environment?
Are there commonalities between the wishes of the environmentalists and the
loggers?
What is the way forward to ensure economic security for workers and
protection for the environment?
Has the environment ever been a workers? issue and can we afford it to be
in these difficult economic times?
Join the 3CR Breakfast team this Friday on 855AM to discuss these important
issues.
LL.VB
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