Australian Environment Foundation
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
The Australian Environment Foundation (AEF) is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation. It has disputed the values of some mainstream environmental assertions, and also on occasion the evidence used to support those assertions. The AEF is climate-change-denying, pro-logging, pro-big business, anti-wind energy, and against the Murray-Darling Basin plan.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3458728.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322011637/http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3458728.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2012|title=Media Watch: What's in a name? (19/03/2012)|website=www.abc.net.au}}{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/wind-power-in-the-sights-of-climate-change-deniers-the-australian-environment-foundation/story-e6frerdf-1226651595470 |title=Category |work=The Courier Mail|accessdate=2018-04-26}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/2426409/beware_environmental_wolves_in_sheeps_clothing.html |title=Beware environmental wolves in sheep's clothing! |publisher=Theecologist.org |date=2014-06-09 |accessdate=2018-04-26}}
History
The formation of the AEF was first mooted at the Eureka Forum organised in December 2004 by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) and a number of resource user groups.[http://www.mannkal.org/downloads/submissions/sub20041102.pdf Inaugural Eureka Forum - Reclaiming the Environment] Invitation to forum It was formally launched on World Environment Day (5 June 2005) in the northern New South Wales town of Tenterfield.
The founding chairman was former Labor federal environment minister, Barry Cohen. A subsequent chairman was gardener, author and television presenter Don Burke.{{cite web |last1=Mahosey|first1=Jennifer |title=Don Burke Retires as Chair of the Australian Environment Foundation |url=http://jennifermarohasy.com/2008/09/don-burke-retires-as-chair-of-the-australian-environment-foundation/ |website=jennifermarohasy.com |accessdate=22 November 2015 |date=23 September 2008}} Reporting on the AEF's launch, the Melbourne broadsheet newspaper, The Age wrote: "Dr Marohasy said she acted as the group's leader as an individual and not part of the IPA."The Age, 6 June 2008, [http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Cool-reception-for-new-green-group/2005/06/07/1118123837470.html Cool reception for new green group] At the time of registration, the registered office was the same is the registered office of the IPA.[http://www.sourcewatch.org/images/e/e2/ASICextract.pdf ASIC Direct Current Extract for Australian Environment Foundation Ltd.] Sourced from ASIC database on 7 June 2006
The group stated in its press release that "This new group will be vastly different to the established environment organisations that have had the ear of governments for some time. The AEF’s focus will be on making decisions based on science and what is good for both the environment and for people".[http://www.aefweb.info/media770.html World Environment Day Launches New Environment Group in Tenterfield] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015214622/http://aefweb.info/media770.html |date=15 October 2008 }} media release. Australian Environment Foundation. 2 June 2005. Retrieved 22 November 2015ABC Radio National [http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/counterpoint/2005-06-06/3443176 Counterpoint], 6 June 2008 broadcast
The organisation has been labelled a "fake environmental group" by community advocacy organisation GetUp!.{{cite web|url=http://tasmaniantimes.com/index.php?/article/getup-the-fake-environment-group-/|title=GetUp: The fake environment group ...}} In May 2014 the AEF came under criticism for lobbying for the de-listing of Tasmania's World Heritage old-growth forest.{{cite news|author=Oliver Milman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/15/ipa-founded-group-lobbying-for-forest-world-heritage-delisting |title=IPA-founded group lobbying for forest world heritage delisting | World news |work=The Guardian|date=15 May 2014 |accessdate=2018-04-26}}
Personnel
=Former directors=
- Jennifer Marohasy, former director
- Barry Cohen, inaugural chairman of AEF, former ALP environment minister
- Don Burke, former chairman
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|www.australianenvironment.org}}
{{Conservation and environmental foundations}}
Category:2005 establishments in Australia
Category:Climate change denial
Category:Conservation and environmental foundations in Australia