As part of sharing party and candidate positions on Toondah Harbour with you, I  wrote to Labor’s potential Environment Minister, Terri Butler and local Bowman candidate Donisha Duff. 

Neither replied to my questions asking them what their intentions were, if elected, regarding the future of the proposed 3600 unit development over the Ramsar wetland and on public foreshore parkland with koalas. 

Since I started this petition, many Labor voters have expressed their frustration with Labor’s support for this project and its contradiction that at the National Conference they say they are committed to Ramsar yet they won’t commit to protecting Toondah Harbour’s Ramsar wetland.

Terri Butler is refusing to commit to protecting Toondah’s critically-endangered Eastern Curlews and endangered koalas or honour our international Ramsar obligations. Instead, she told Brisbane Times:

“As the intending environment minister – and I do hope I am the environment minister – I actually can’t express views on individual projects because to do so could put at risk any decisions I might make down the track,” the Griffith MP said.

This is the same position her spokesperson gave to Independent Australia just over a year ago after Anthony Albanese flicked the question to her Office. https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/albanese-refuses-to-back-alp-decision-on-toondah-harbour-development,15005

‘As a potential future decision-maker in relation to projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the Shadow Minister doesn’t comment on the merits of individual projects.’

‘As Labor’s National Platform Conference reinforced, Labor’s commitment to Ramsar is clear... Australia’s unique and internationally renowned natural environment must be protected.’

Based on the above, it’s not clear whether a vote for Labor will help save this irreplaceable wetland and it’s priceless international significance.