by Mat Churchill

Newly elected Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, has launched a scathing attack on The Wilderness Society (TWS), one of Australia's largest conservation groups, and the Queensland Government's Wild Rivers legislation.

Mr Entsch said the campaign run by TWS to "lock up" rivers in the Cape York area had nothing to do with conservation.

"The campaign they ran was totally dishonest. It was about distorting the perceptions of people in Melbourne and Sydney.

"They (The Wilderness Society) have got no respect for regional people in the Cape, the custodians of that land. It's a bloody disgrace and shows no respect for indigenous communities," he said.

"They had far too much influence and it's not their right to dictate policy. The State Government has sold out the people of Cape York."

When asked what difference there was between a conservation group influencing policy as opposed to the mining lobby, Mr Entsch replied "Mining brings wealth in taxes and they pay high wages."

TWS' Wild Rivers Campaigner, Glenn Walker, said the Wild Rivers legislation was introduced to protect the pristine condition of the Far North's river systems.

"In the early 90's there was an awakening to the plight of the river systems, particularly the Murray-Darling system in the south which was on the brink of collapse.

"Scientists and conservation groups looked at Queensland rivers, which are some of the healthiest in the world, and were adamant we should not to make the same mistakes."

"The Wild Rivers legislation does not affect cattle grazing, it does not affect, tourism, it does not affect fishing, and they can still build infrastructure.

"The legislation is targeted at highly destructive developments like big dams, irrigation schemes, and mining."

Mr Walker was equally scathing of Mr Entsch's environmental credentials.

"He's no friend of the environment," he said. "Warren Entsch has sided with with the big end of town. He's about big corporations who want to exploit Cape York.

"He ran a campaign with Noel Pearson handing out flyers in indigenous communities saying the Wild RIvers legislation would stop them hunting and fishing. That was a totally dishonest campaign.

"This is just a massive beat up from Warren and his mates," Mr Walker said.