HCEC in Parliament

The Hunter Community Environment Centre is a group of people, often young people, who have no investment in this debate except their ideals. They are not there to make money and it is fair enough if honourable members disagree with them, but they believe in protecting the environment and the social amenity and doing the decent thing. I think they have a fantastic quality that we find in the Australian environment [movement]. Despite all the apathy, some people, many of whom I am proud to say are good friends of mine, work hard for long days and nights and do not give up. Governments come and governments will go but whilst there is any shred of threatened pristine environment or species left these people will step up and defend it, and I am very proud to be part of that movement.

Ian Cohen MLC
Legislative Council Tuesday 21 November 2006