"Labor and Liberal’s support for the environment and sustainability is token at best," said Democrats’ leader, Mike Elliott, at the launch of the party’s Environment Platform at Cleland Conservation Park today.

"This leaves the Australian Democrats as the only environmental alternative in the South Australian parliament.

"Our platform argues for a clear and coherent strategy to safeguard our environment for present and future South Australians (see attached).

"We promise to protect the state’s natural resources after decades of neglect by both Liberal and ALP state governments.

"Our biodiversity is under threat – South Australia has already lost 27 mammal species out of the 137 species alive 160 years ago, while fourteen more species are endangered.

"The Australian Democrats are committed to the development of a state biodiversity strategy.

"Native vegetation continues to be cleared, despite Government commitments to reverse the decline. We will stop this trend.

"Already less than 5% of the state is in fully protected reserves, while the Liberal government has opened up the protected Yumbarra Conservation Park to mining exploration (the first time in the 108-year history of the park system).

"Every National Park ranger in SA is now responsible for almost 618 square kilometres of reserve, compared to 190 square kilometres eight years ago.

"It’s time to redress the balance, and to ensure the environment gets put on the balance sheet!"

Key points in the Platform:

THE AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

• Sustainable Water: Salinity and water quality targets must reflect environmental thresholds for the health of our rivers, marine fauna and flora. We are committed to sustainable land and water repair.
• Saving Biodiversity: The Australian Democrats propose a new Act to enhance biodiversity protection. Native Vegetation laws must be strengthened to protect and restore native bushland and native fauna habitat.
• Sustainable Energy and Waste Reduction: Waste and energy reduction (including greenhouse gases) is central to our sustainable future. We support incentives to promote environment-friendly practices.
• Saving our Oceans: We propose the creation of on-land aquaculture parks to ensure ecologically-sustainable development. There must be greater protection for marine protected areas.
• Sustainable Land Management: Reserves that contain species or ecosystems at risk must be fully protected.
• Development: Ecological sustainable development should be the core basis of planning.
• Environment Protection Authority: Greater independence, increased funding and greater community participation in decision-making, as well as ready access to environmental monitoring data are supported.
• Sustainability Commissioner: We propose the establishment of a State Sustainability Commissioner to advise Cabinet and encourage more environmentally-sustainable decision making across government.

Environment Protection Authority
Marine Environment
National Parks
Native Species
Native Vegetation
Nuclear Waste
Reserves & Wilderness
Water Use and River Murray