“This country is at the beginning of a period of huge growth
that will continue for decades to come and it’s all driven by the
resources in the ground,” said Ms Brockovich at today’s launch.

“The EJS will act as a guardian of people’s rights to a safe and
healthy environment, and is aiming to help preserve Australia’s
pristine beaches, waterways, rainforests and wilderness for
generations to come.”

The EJS website 
went live for the first time at the launch in Brisbane and will act
as the conduit between the EJS’s expert Advisory Committee and the
public.

Executive Secretary Rebecca Jancauskas says the main aim of the
EJS is to inform Australians of their fundamental human right to a
safe environment and to empower them if this right is being
jeopardised.

“The EJS Advisory Committee will help Australians voice their
concerns and pursue justice if their life or the livelihood of
their community is being negatively impacted by the actions of a
company,” said Ms Jancauskas.

Through the EJS website, the Advisory Committee will collaborate
with members of the public on issues of environmental concern and
play a proactive role in educating, advising and assisting to raise
awareness of their particular issues.

“The EJS website contains a Knowledge Centre that offers
guidance and direction for individuals concerned about the impact a
company’s actions is having on their community and their local
environment,” said Ms Jancauskas.

Ms Brockovich says Australia has a chance to avoid many of the
environmental problems that have beset communities in the United
States, but this will depend on people taking responsibility for
voicing concerns when they have them.

“Ultimately, I’d love to see all Australians take the
responsibility of acting as custodians of the magnificent natural
environment you have in your country,” she said, “It’s unique, and
it needs to be taken care of in the best way possible.”

At today’s EJS launch, Ms Brockovich announced the start of a
new Environmental Crusader Competition “to find Australia’s Erin
Brockovich”.

“Thanks to the award-winning movie bearing my name, we all know
about the environmental work I do in the United States,” she said,
“Well, now it’s time to do the same down under and I want to find
my Australian equivalent - href=”http://www.environmentalcrusader.com.au/” target=”_blank”>log
onto  the site to
find out more and enter.”