'Pushing the red button is a convoluted and time consuming process,' she said.

'The Environmental Monitor, Mick Bourke, has said he doesn’t have the power to stop the dredge or intervene,' she said.

'The Environment Minister has the power to stop the project, but only after receiving 'advice' from the Monitor, who in turn depends on information provided by the proponent that environmental limits have been exceeded,' she said.

'The Minister then considers the advice and reports back to the Monitor, to tell the dredger to stop,' she said.

'No amount of monitoring or public reporting can overcome the fundamental flaws of this project,' she said.

'Monitoring won’t save the bay. Stopping dredging will save the bay.'

'Push the red button now.'

Ms Pennicuik was speaking in support of the Liberal’s private members bill for increased reporting on the channel deepening project. She emphasized that support for this bill did not imply that the Greens support channel deepening, which they continue to oppose.

Further information: Sue Pennicuik 0407 000 270