How badly do Tasmanians want to protect nature? The state election may provide answers

The major parties have been all but silent on the environment this campaign, while the Greens are intent on protecting natural placesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastTasmania markets itself as a natural beauty, pitching to people on the mainland that they should "come down for air", but it's been a different story in the island state's frenzied election campaign. Nature was nearly entirely absent from the first month of campaigning ahead of election day on 23 March.By late last week, the incumbent Liberal party had issued more than 220 press releases since the campaign kicked off on Valentine's Day. None included an environment policy. Labor, which is attempting to return to power after 10 years in the political wilderness, had sent out 130 press releases without mentioning nature.Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...