AUSTRALIA: Democrats' survey opposes logging
Copyright 2001
The Mercury, Hobart
October 4, 2001
By BRETT STUBBS
THE Australian Democrats launched their Tasmanian election campaign yesterday by releasing a damming survey on old growth forest logging.
Democrats deputy leader Aden Ridgeway was in Launceston to hand over more than 9000 surveys returned by Tasmanians to state Senate candidate for the Democrats Debbie Butler. Ms Butler said results were damaging for both of the two major political parties and showed Liberal and Labor were not listening to the public.
"The percentage of Tasmanians that agree old growth forests should stop was phenomenal -- around 78 per cent -- and that is magnificent," Ms Butler said.
Senator Ridgeway agreed and said: "It is incumbent on political parties to speak to their constituents, to speak to the people that put them in power, well before
an election is called.
"It should be done as an ongoing matter, not as a matter of just trying to maintain or seek out power in this country."
Other results included an 89 per cent return in favour of increased spending on public schools and universities, and 86 per cent support for a better funded, independent ABC.
Ms Butler said she had a good chance of replacing retiring Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jocelyn Newman.