The Wire

A snap announcement by the federal government of a slash to state based environment groups’ grants has left conservation groups asking if the move is politically motivated. The Federal Environment minister Ian Campbell announced on Friday that the government would cap grants to state based environment groups at 10,000. Today, the news has sunk in with environment groups shaking their heads at the implications. The federal government argues grants are eaten up by administrative costs and organizations that coordinate practical projects, such as tree planting, will get a chance. But conservation groups argue very little of grant money is spent on administration. They say the move will deal a devastating blow to the ongoing educational work and lobbying that environment groups engage in. Meanwhile, the Australia Institute has criticized the move as a politically motivated attempt to silence outspoken environment groups. Trish Harriot is the director of the Canberra Conservation Council. She spoke to The Wire’s Erica Vowles about the implications of the grant cap for her organization.