Labor secretly negotiating destruction of Takayna rainforest
Labor secretly negotiating destruction of Takayna rainforest | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Labor secretly negotiating destruction of Takayna rainforest 2025-10-08 Environment Minister Murray Watt is secretly negotiating with Chinese state-owned corporation MMG over its proposed tailings dam in Takayna rainforest, questions at Senate Estimates have shown.
The Environment Department confirmed that MMG has known since August about a proposed decision on “preliminary works” for its toxic tailings dam in the Takayna/Tarkine rainforest, but the public has been kept in the dark. Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the secrecy was unacceptable. “Labor has quietly given a foreign-owned mining company the inside running on the Minister’s proposed decision, yet conservationists trying to protect the area get no such courtesy,” he said.
“The Takayna rainforest should be World Heritage listed, not bulldozed for a toxic waste dump.” “Labor’s so-called Environment Minister should be protecting these forests, not secretly cutting deals to wipe out habitat for the endangered Tasmanian Masked Owl.” The proposed MMG waste dam would clear ancient rainforest at McKimmie Creek, inside the Tarkine, to store acid mine waste from the Rosebery mine.
The ‘preliminary works’ would destroy rainforest for roads and drill sites. “There are viable alternatives that would spare the forest entirely,” Senator McKim said. “Labor’s cosy relationship with MMG shows its priorities lie with corporate profits, not with nature.” “Minister Watt must at the very least immediately release the proposed decision publicly.
Even better, he should halt the approval process, rule out any destruction of Takayna rainforest, and prepare a nomination for World Heritage status for this precious and globally significant place.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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