Even Gunns owners support ending native forest logging

Our Common Ground warmly welcomed news today that the institutional owners of Gunns Ltd have decided it is time the company stopped logging native forests.

John Gay today revealed that he had been asked to resign by the owners of Gunns and that they had told him logging native forests is not part of the future for the company.

“It is an are extraordinary revelation and a watershed for Tasmania. The owners of the company that has been at the centre of logging native forests want it to end. They have recognised it is not what the markets want and it is bad for the company.” said Rod West spokesperson for Our Common Ground.

“Gunns shareholders have now joined the markets and the people of Tasmania in wanting an end to the industrial logging of native forests. There is a growing consensus that we need a new innovative direction for our timber industry and for Gunn’s.” Said Mr West

“We now have the opportunity with the potential for a new Gunns board and a new government to heal the divisions of the past and finally resolve this issue once and for all. It is time Labor and Liberal listened to ordinary Tasmanians and the owners of Gunns.” Said Mr West.

“Like the leadership of Gunns, if politicians fail to listen to the people they will be held to account.” concluded Mr West

Our Common Ground said they were keen to work with a new Gunns board to develop a profitable path forward for the company.

Our Common Ground is a coalition of community and business leaders, environment groups and timber workers who are committed to finding a solution to Tasmania’s forestry conflict.

A change at the top of Gunns would produce win-win for Tasmania

Tasmania’s native forests would have a future and jobs at the company would be safer if there was a fundamental change at a Board level at Gunns Limited, The Wilderness Society’s executive director Alec Marr said today.

Mr Marr said reports that shareholders are seeking to remove chairman John Gay presented a golden opportunity to shift Gunns onto a more sustainable footing.

“A new generation of Board members would send a positive message about a more sustainable company and a commitment to protecting Tasmania’s valuable native forests would ensure the state’s clean, green image remains intact.

“It is encouraging to see that Gunn’s shareholders understand that Tasmania cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy environment.”

Mr Marr said The Wilderness Society is willing to work with a new Board of Gunns to reform its operations.

“A fundamental change at the top would present an important opportunity to end the conflict over forestry in Tasmania.

“Such a move would create a win-win outcome for jobs, Tasmania’s economy, the community and Tasmania’s valuable native forests.

“The Wilderness Society would support a new Board of Gunns that is willing to work constructively and in good faith to reform the logging operations of Gunns limited and build a social license with the whole community.”