The Australian Democrats have described the break up of Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park to rename it Naracoorte Caves National Park as ‘cyncial propaganda’ in the lead-up to World Environment Day.

"It is a sad indictment on this state government that the best they can do is make a name change that provides no additional protection," Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, said today.

"In the renaming process the state government will remove 6 hectares of previously protected land from the park. Presumably, the land will be sold to pay for the new signs that will be the only other change to the park.

"Who does this government think they are fooling?

"Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park is already internationally recognised by UNESCO as a major park, and this name change will make no difference to levels of protection.

"This will not fool the environment delegates from around the world.

"The only real change will be approximately $1/2 million extra revenue to the state government as they sell ex-Conservation Park land.

"If the state government was serious about protecting our natural resources it would have stopped mineral exploration in the internationally recognised Yumbarra Conservation Park, or mining in the internationally recognised Coongie Lakes.

"If this cynical propaganda is the best the state government can do in the lead up to World Environment Day, we are at great risk of ridicule on the international stage."