Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said, "Yesterday a recently retired regional manager sounded the alarm by saying the move to reopen 4WD tracks in National Heritage areas of the Tarkine coast would damage more priceless Aboriginal sites.

"The Tarkine coastline was listed as a Cultural Heritage Landscape of National Significance because of its incredible Aboriginal history and yet it is being opened up for destruction.

"Brett Whiteley, the Member for Braddon, said that those who oppose the destruction of Aboriginal heritage in the Tarkine are 'fringe groups'.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today that Environment Minister Mark Butler's decision on the proposed Venture Minerals open-cut mine in the Tarkine is a political ploy in a marginal electorate on the first day of a Federal election.

"Minister Butler was always going to make the decision he made today for the same political reasons Tony Burke shocked the country by ignoring the Australian Heritage Councils recommendations to protect the Tarkine earlier this year," said Senator Whish-Wilson.

"Kevin Rudd's $100 million plan is a mixed bag for Tasmania," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"There is no way federal dollars should be propping up Ta Ann. Tasmania's brand of clean, green and clever needs to be boosted, not undermined.

"Tasmania needs new industries that build on our environment and our global reputation.

"Tasmanians have been waiting for the hundred million dollars from the intergovernmental agreement to boost regional jobs and new industries. But this money was always contingent upon protection of the forests.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said today that Environment Minister Mark Butler should be spending time in Tasmania talking to experts on the endangered species under threat by Tarkine mine proposals.

"The failure of Minister Butler's predecessor to fully consider official conservation advice on endangered species was the basis of the court decision against Shree's proposed mine at Nelson Bay River," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Tourism Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said yesterday’s Federal Court decision on the proposed Nelson Bay River mine was a win for the long-term prospects of the tourism industry in the northwest.

Senator Whish-Wilson is today participating in the Northwest Tourism Forum in Stanley where the attendees heard from a wide range of speakers including legendary naturalist Terri Irwin.

The Coalition today refused to support Tasmania's new World Heritage area extension or a logging ban in World Heritage areas anywhere in the nation, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"Every Coalition senator in the chamber today voted against my motion which sought to celebrate and show support for our precious World Heritage areas and to prohibit logging," Senator Milne said.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson has just returned from Bicheno, East Coast Tasmania where he met with and listened to fire-impacted communities, businesses and experts on community fire protection.

“The success of recent selective Tasmanian Parks &Wildlife Service fuel reduction burns, which helped save Tasmania’s magnificent Freycinet Peninsula and Coles Bay from catastrophe in last week’s Tasmanian East Coast bush fires, shows what can be achieved with appropriate resourcing and fire management strategies.

The Gunns statement to the Australian stock exchange today confirms that the Tamar Valley pulp mill is dead in the water and is not now or has ever been economically viable, the Australian Greens said today

Tasmania now faces Gunns conducting a clearing out sale as Mr L' Estrange oversees the writing down of assets in an attempt to salvage the company.