Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown's motion calling on the Rudd government to halt any federal funding for Forestry Tasmania's proposed Tarkine Road passed the Senate this afternoon without division.

The motion reads: That the Senate-

(a) notes local government and community opposition to a road, proposed by Forestry Tasmania, through a section of the Tarkine forest; and

(b) calls on the Government to ensure no federal funding is used, directly or indirectly, for this road unless or until local government concerns are
addressed.

"This misguided project is now on federal notice too," Senator Brown said.
"Considerable federal funds go to forestry and to roads. This is a strong message to Treasurer Swan. It also means that if the Bartlett government were to ignore local misgivings, and with Forestry Tasmania running on empty, it may well have to find all the funds from its own kitty," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603