Premier David Bartlett today announced plans for a high level strategic roundtable for the forest industry to secure jobs and provide the industry with a sustainable future.
The Government also announced a $3.6m emergency short term assistance package for sections of the industry worst affected by the down turn in the industry.
Details of how the assistance will be provided will be worked out between industry representatives and Forest Minister Bryan Green.
Mr Bartlett said he would also be contacting the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests Tony Burke next week to discuss the future of the industry.
He said he was also eager to engage national environmental, union and industry groups.
“At our meeting this morning industry representatives made it clear they see a new approach, one that engages the environmental movement, as the best way to secure long-term growth for the industry.
“I believe we need new thinking for our forest industry.
“Our industry is approaching crisis and doing nothing is not an option.
“Our markets have changed and the industry has changed.
“Today’s meeting agreed I should work with Greens leader Nick McKim to engage the broad environmental movement.
“I will sit down with Mr McKim and Forest Minister Bryan Green asking them to suggest people who might participate in that roundtable.
“I will also write to the chairman of the FFIC Rob Woolley to chair the roundtable.
“I want to have the roundtable makeup decided on by the end of next week.
“It is only with new thinking that we will be able to have a future for the forest industry that provides sustainability and jobs growth.
“That means we have to be bold in dealing with the issues that the industry faces particularly in its markets.
“We have to drive down-stream processing to add wealth to our forest products.
“We have to demonstrate to world markets that our industry is environmentally sound and sustainable.
“The forest industry is the heart and soul of much of regional Tasmania but it cannot survive on piecemeal fix-ups. It must be given surety to encourage investment and jobs growth.
“This roundtable is a step in achieving that.”
Nick McKim, Greens Leader:
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed today’s announcement by Premier David Bartlett that talks to restructure the forest industry will also include representatives of the conservation movement.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that all effort must be made to ensure that the round-table talks are successful and drive meaningful change to secure conservation outcomes as well as a viable restructured industry.
“It is only by putting aside past divisions and bringing all stakeholders together that we can deliver a timber industry that each and every Tasmanian can be proud of,” Mr McKim said.
“I welcome the commitment made by Mr Bartlett to invite conservation representatives to participate in roundtable talks, and I will be consulting with the conservation movement on a way forward.”
“Recognition that markets are demanding to know that Tasmania’s forest products are derived from environmentally sound and sustainable practices is heartening, and now these roundtable talks must focus on how to deliver the necessary conservation outcomes as well as securing the industry’s future.”
“These discussions open up the real possibility of positive change that can protect forests, meet market expectations and create more jobs in the industry.”
Paul Oosting, Wilderness Society:
MEDIA RELEASE May 14, 2010
PROPOSED GOVERNMENT TALKS FOR INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT GROUPS
The Wilderness Society commented on Premier David Bartlett’s move to initiate reform of forestry in Tasmania so that it can become sustainable, welcoming his recognition that it is time for industry and conservation interests to sit down and negotiate an agreed solution.
However, industry and the environment movement first need to work together and decide how they would like to proceed with a reform agenda before a political process can be set in motion.
“Premier Bartlett has taken a step in the right direction acknowledging that something needs to be done to change the logging industry,” said Paul Oosting spokesperson for The Wilderness Society.
“It is in the best interests of resolving the conflict over forestry in Tasmania for industry and environment groups to work together to find a resolution, but we need to work this out between ourselves before entering into a political process,” said Mr Oosting.
The Wilderness Society will continue to pursue talks with industry in good faith in order to achieve a win-win outcome for the environment, community and industry. A process to make decisions about the future of logging in Tasmania needs to be decided by stakeholders. Stakeholder groups are the ones best placed to determine for themselves who represents them.
“To get the most effective representation and successful outcomes, we think that industry and the environment movement should be free to choose who best represents them and how talks should be conducted.”
“We will now discuss Mr Bartlett’s proposal amongst the key players, and it is likely to take some days to arrive at our conclusion on the best way to proceed.”
“We welcome the emergency government support being offered to those in the industry at most risk,” concluded Mr Oosting.
autofear: The Restructure, HERE
Meanwhile, from the Our Common Ground blog HERE,
Red Cedar says:
May 8th 2010
No profit! So who cares?
Forestry Tasmania Managing Director Bob Gordon announces that they won’t be making a profit this year (The Mercury 8/05/2010). So who cares? As I’ve said previously on this blog, the forest industry in Tasmania and the rest of Australia, has historically been run as a government-sponsored charity, with governments providing cheap logs and lots of “industry assistance” (=$$$$$$) to prop up an uncompetitive, inefficient, poorly managed industry. The corporatisation of Forestry Tasmania in 1994 changed very little of that basic scenario and culture. Charities are not supposed to make a profit.
But the forest industry in Tasmania should be deeply concerned that their main source of supply for logs is losing money, because it is a direct reflection of their own lack of competitiveness, efficiency and poor management. The Government will not allow Forestry Tasmania to “call in the Receivers”. That would be just too embarrassing. So profit or loss, the chainsaws will not stop. Nor is there much incentive for Forestry Tasmania to take action to become more competitive and profitable. Forestry Tasmania knows it is Government guaranteed, so the bureaucracy rolls on.
Really the whole timber industry has inefficiency and poor management permanently built in.
Any moves to change and improve the timber industry in Tasmania, must start with Forestry Tasmania. Economic downturns such as the GFC, are the times when businesses review their operations and prune out inefficiency and excess, and refocus on becoming more competitive. Forestry Tasmania has not announced any moves to do this, although there are ample opportunities. Government policy also needs to be reviewed and changed to improve competitiveness and efficiency in the industry. Instead all we read in the newspapers is that taxpayers money will be spent to prop-up the industry in the hope that the it will muddle on. How’s that for a recipe for improved efficiency and competitiveness? It’s just crap isn’t it? No wonder the forest contractors are furious. Why aren’t they marching on parliament house demanding action? Why aren’t they demanding the resignation of Bob Gordon? In fact in order to retain his integrity Bob Gordon should have resigned when announcing FTs loss. Just who takes responsibility when the industry is in crisis? Obviously not Mr. Gordon.
No! The future of the forest industry in Tasmania rests largely with the Government and Forestry Tasmania. Major changes are needed urgently. Forestry Tasmania needs to reduce its costs dramatically, and focus on maximising value and improving profit margins. Markets need to be opened up to become more competitive. Yes Gunns are a major player and what decisions they make in the coming months will have important implications for the industry. But there are other major players. To date they have remained quiet on the future of the industry. It is time for them to stand up and be counted. Just telling us on the TV that they are wonderful people and are ecologically sustainable is not good enough.
Cheers!
