Antinuclear

Federal and State funding removed from top Northern Territory Environment Groups

End is nigh for NT environmental advocacy groups as funding runs out, ABC News 26 Feb 15  By Elliana Lawford Two environmental advocacy groups in the Northern Territory are set to close as government funding cuts announced last year start to bite.

The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) has told the ABC a number of staff were laid off last week and the centre has limited their operating hours from five to three days a week.

The organisation has led campaigns against uranium mining, pollution, gas exploration and water extraction licences. ECNT chair Tony Young said he was worried there would be no-one to fight for environmental issues in the Northern Territory if the centre closed.

“If there is no independent voice to point these things out then the problems continue and they are exacerbated,” he said. “The range and complexity of the environmental problems the Northern Territory faces really deserves a properly funded, independent, science-based voice … that’s what is in danger.”

The ECNT lost $185,000 in last year’s Territory budget.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is also struggling and has announced it will close on June 30, after it lost $450,000 in Federal Government funding. EDO chair Kirsty Howey said the office could not operate without financial help.

“With the cutting of federal funding at the EDO, we are looking at shutting the doors on June 30 this year,” she said.

“We just don’t have the money to survive any longer.”

NT Environment Minister Gary Higgins said he was unperturbed by the looming closures of the ECNT and the EDO……..

Labor spokeswoman Nicole Manison said both organisations were needed in the community.

“We need to have a full and independent voice for the government out there in the community,” she said.

“They bring up some pretty tough issues for governments and a good government would actually listen to them.”

Both organisations are still trying to secure independent funding that could delay their closures. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-26/environment-agencies-nt-for-the-chop/6262720

February 27, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, Northern Territory, politics