The Australian Environment Foundation is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation. It differs from many other such groups because it accepts most traditional human activities in the environment, such as farming and forestry, seeking to combine these with an enhanced concern for nature. It has disputed the values of some mainstream environmental assertions, and also on occasion the evidence used to support those assertions.
Membership of the AEF is available only to individuals, and all states are represented in the membership. Compared with many other environmental groups, members are more likely to live and work outside of major cities.
Core values of the AEF include: • Evidence - policies are set and decisions are made on the basis of facts, evidence and scientific analysis. • Choice - issues are prioritized on the basis of accurate risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis. • Diversity - biological diversity is maintained. • People - people are an integral part of the environment.
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The formation of the AEF was first mooted at 'The Institute of Public Affairs Eureka Forum' organised in December 2004 by the right-wing think tank the Institute of Public Affairs. It was formally launched on World Environment Day (5 June 2005) in the northern New South Wales town of Tenterfield. "This new group will be vastly different to the established environment organisations that have had the ear of governments for some time. The AEF’s focus will be on making decisions based on science and what is good for both the environment and for people," the group stated in its press release.[1] The founding chairman was former Labor federal environment minister, Barry Cohen AM. A subsequent chairman was gardener, author and television presenter Don Burke.
The group's formation attracted criticism from more left-wing environmental groups. They pointed to the fact members of the pro-forestry group Timber Communities Australia were involved in the group, and one of the founders, biologist Dr Jennifer Marohasy, worked for the Institute of Public Affairs. Reporting on the AEF's launch, the Melbourne broadsheet newspaper, 'The Age' wrote: "Dr Marohasy said she acted as the group's leader as an individual and not part of the IPA." [2]
The launch was covered on the conservative ABC Radio National program ‘Counterpoint’ on 6 June. [3]