Wednesday 17 March
Representatives from Landcare NSW and its network attended the official launch of the National Parliamentary Friends of Landcare at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday when they joined Members of Parliament, national and state landcare organisations and volunteers from across the country to celebrate the occasion.
The creation of the group strengthens the national bipartisan support for Landcare, ensuring the collective voices of grassroots Landcarers will be heard at a national level in the Australian parliament says Landcare NSW Chair and a Director on the National Landcare Network, Stephanie Cameron.
“It is fantastic to see the formation of this group and the political support for Landcare at all levels of government. Our NSW Landcare community has faced a challenging year but has shown their strength and resilience and we are pleased to connect federal Parliamentarians with our community.
“We look forward to supporting the group and growing ties between parliamentarians and our Landcarers to help build understanding through all levels of our community.”
The group was formed by Co-chairs, New South Wales Senator Perin Davey and Victorian Senator Raff Ciccone.
The National Landcare Network and Landcare Australia thanked Senator Davey and Senator Ciccone, and their parliamentary colleagues for championing the work of Landcare, saying it is an important acknowledgement of the beneficial impact Landcare has on the environment, and the role Landcare plays in communities around Australia.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit said the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Landcare is a significant step forward in highlighting the important and inspiring work that the Landcare movement does for our environment across Australia.
“Enabling members of parliament to directly connect to the work of Landcare on the ground and understand the critical role Landcare plays in restoring health to our landscapes is crucial in working towards a long-term sustainable future,” said Dr Zammit.
The establishment of this Friends group signals to the community the wide parliamentary support and recognition for Landcare and the invaluable role Landcarers play in caring for our country and building resilient, productive landscapes.
The Hon. David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management; the Hon. Julie Collins MP, Shadow Minister for Agriculture; the Hon. Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, and Ms. Terri Butler MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment all spoke of their support for the Landcare movement, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.
Parliamentary Friends of Landcare enables members of parliament to directly connect to the work of Landcare on the ground, strengthening the Landcare movement for the future.
For media enquiries:
Samantha Stratton sstratton@landcarensw.org.au | 0487 767 955
Jodie Lovell jlovell@landcarensw.org.au