John Howard "Very Proud" Of His Government's Environmental Record

[hatrack]

:puke:

Prime Minister John Howard has defended his government's record after a report sounded a warning on the health of Australia's environment.

The State of the Environment 2006 report, released on Wednesday, found biodiversity - the richness and abundance of life - would continue to decline due to the damaging practices of the past. It also warned Australians had to make decisions which would enable them to adapt better to where they live in the face of a changing climate.

Mr Howard said the report outlined key achievements by his government in environmental management since 2001, including a four-fold increase in spending, a decrease in land-clearing, boosted protection for the marine environment, good air quality in capital cities and improved water management. But he said it also outlined challenges including increasing pressure on fisheries, waste reduction and recycling and the poor condition of inland waterways and coastal lakes.

"I'm very proud of the things that this government has done in the environment," Mr Howard told parliament. "In the last five years ... the government has invested an unprecedented amount of funding in the environment, namely $10.3 billion.

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Howard-defends-his-environmental-record/2006/12/06/1165081014359.html

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Hurl indeed. nt