The greater glider,a large gliding possum that lives along Australia’s east coast,was recently listed as endangered.Credit:Josh Bowell
Plibersek said the status of the gliders was changed from vulnerable to endangered because habitat destruction from logging,land clearing for agriculture,intensifying bushfires and climate change have turned this large gliding possum into a rarity.
A coalition of seven environment groups – including the Goongerah Environment Centre and Environment Victoria – has written to the Victorian Environment Minister,Lily D’Ambrosio,urging her to increase protection for gliders,saying the species faces “horrendous challenges to its survival”. They want her to protect all mature,unburnt or unlogged habitat for the possum.
“The current areas set aside for greater gliders are inadequate,especially after the black summer bushfires,” said Tuffy Morwitzer from the Goongerah Environment Centre. “The minister can easily rectify this by stopping native forest logging in prime greater glider habitat and make those areas permanent reserves.”
The Andrews government has moved to clamp down on environmental protesters at logging sites. On Thursday evening,the Victorian upper house passed legislation - 30 votes in favour and five against - that will see protesters who illegally enter timber harvesting zones to disrupt workers face 12 months in jail or $21,000 in fines,as well as bans from entering logging areas.
Unions,including the United Workers Union,and environmental groups had criticised the Andrews government over the bill,saying the penalties will have a chilling effect on democratic action. Leader of the Victorian Greens,Samantha Ratnam said it was a “grim day” for native forests.
“The major parties joined forces to pass a bill that will threaten and intimidate peaceful protesters simply trying to save our environment,” Ratnam said.