Premier David Bartlett today met with Greens leader Nick McKim, and environmentalists Phillip Pullinger and Paul Oosting, as part of the ongoing discussions to secure a sound future for Tasmania’s forest industry.
Mr Bartlett said he recognised that more time was needed for the necessary pre-conditions for the proposed roundtable to begin its work.
There is a lot of common ground and conversations are going on between industry and the environmental movement that can take this forward.
We need to give those conversations the time and the space to take us to the next stage.
ABC Online: Premier’s backflip on roundtable urgency
Tasmania’s Premier has decided not to rush environmentalists to his forestry roundtable, despite saying earlier today he wanted prompt action and did not want to hear excuses for why they could not be involved.
David Bartlett wants to hold a series of discussions over the next two days with conservationists ahead of his proposed roundtable.
This morning he said he wants them to move quickly to avoid delays of the roundtable.
“I’m happy to listen to their issues but what I don’t want to see is a list of issues that are simply excuses for not coming to the table,” he said.
Mr Bartlett started those meetings immediately, this afternoon talking with Phil Pullinger from Environment Tasmania and Paul Oosting of the Wilderness Society.
The discussions have prompted a change of heart for the Premier.
Mr Bartlett has since released a statement saying he now wants to give those conversations the time and space needed to move to the next stage.
Wednesday:
National hitch for local forestry peace talks
Posted 48 minutes ago
Timber worker in Tasmania
“The Tasmanian industry will not have solutions imposed on them.” (ABC News: Fiona Breen)
* Related Story: Premier’s backflip on roundtable urgency
Peace talks between environmentalists and the forest industry appear to have been sidelined by national discussions.
The groups have held regular meetings over the past few weeks.
The Premier, David Bartlett, was yesterday forced to further extended the deadline for his roundtable talks after meeting conservationists and union leaders.
Mr Bartlett is awaiting the outcome of national CFMEU forestry talks but he has told the union the local industry needs to be involved.
“The Tasmanian industry will not have solutions imposed on them,” he said.
The Greens Leader Nick McKim says the roundtable process can not be rushed.
The Liberal Leader Will Hodgman has a different view of events.
He has accused the Premier and Mr McKim of wasting time, as the forest industry falls deeper into crisis.
“Mr Bartlett and Mr McKim might enjoy their fireside chats, Tasmanians need leadership.”
The Premier says he hes been convinced more talks are needed before the roundtable can begin its work.
Dave Groves: HERE
