Jeremy Rockliff… Where have you been?

The resignation of Gunns boss John Gay and Board member Robin Gay opens a window of opportunity for Gunns to revist the Hampshire site.

With 300 million Gunns shares changing hands opens the way for new board members and a chance to improve their corporate image in this state.

With thousands of hectares plantations on the Northwest Coast .Gunns would have easy access to Hampshire and those on mainland { Auspine } could be shipped to Burnie Port.

The goverment owned Rail System could transport plantation timber from the North East Coast & South of state straight to Hampshire.

Thousands who oppose the Pulp Mill in the Tamar Valley are never going to change their minds and a sensible compromise would have the best outcome.

The round table conference loaded with representatives from within the industry will not look at the ” Big Picture ” that the Tasmanian community demand.

Its the wrong context for meaningful reform.

The Forest Industry have known since 1993 a down turn in the industry was coming, but did nothing.

I am amused comments made by Jeremy Rockliff ” There is a crisis in the Bush which nobody saw coming “.Where has he been ? As late as 2004 Greens Bob Brown and former Labor Leader Mark Latham had a policy, saw ” The Gathering Storm ” approaching the industry, but of course employees and contractors in the industry were sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.

The ” Bush Cuckoos ” are now screeching together for financial help , once again with ” Bartlett Labor Goverment ” responding $5 .4 million dollars to again prop up this ” noxious ” industry.

The Field Labor Govement 20 years ago wrote off nearly $300 million dollars and the incestuous financial subsidies by both Labor & liberal Goverments, total around $700 million dollars. Enough is Enough.

The Forest Industry needs a complete investigation , as well as legislation , a classic example which exempts this industry with a raft of land use and enviromental controls.

For 30 years the forest industry has lived off state and federal goverments subsidies; over a billion dollars.

The government should replace ” The Round Table Conference “, with a full enquiry into the whole timber and forest industry , headed by Jeff Kennett and a team of independent experts and economists, with open ended terms of reference or a Royal Commission.

Refer Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee
ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE.
Supplementary Budget Estimates October 2009.
Agriculture , Fisheries and Forestry
Attachment A

Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement Industry Development
Program Expenditure.
As Senator Milne states this indicates where millions of dollars have gone and those who have received them ”WHERE YOUR MONEY HAS GONE ‘

Once you have digested the answers to the questions posed, only an open enquiry or royal commission will achieve the accountability that is required.

Log Trucks

With the forest industry on its knees, now is the time to abolish log trucks, B doubles and other heavy vehicles from our roads, exemption only to deliver logs to Rail Head.

A load limit of 15 tonnes should be implemented.

All local councils should take this matter forward ., as ratepayers are paying millions a year for road repairs and maintenance , caused by these 50 tonne ladended lethal weapons.

It is a pleasure to drive around the state at the moment and not run into a convoy of { 4–5 } log trucks on narrow roads.

Are we fair dinkum bringing tourists to visit our state?

Mr. Will Hodgman M.H.A , calls for a 4 lane highway from Hobart to Launceston, remove heavy vehicle movements to rail and the problem is solved.

Why does Labor and Liberal. join forces to defeat Greens legislation to reduce height and weight of log trucks, and ban the use of noxious chemicals and sprays.

Plantations and M.I.S Schemes

Federal Liberal leader John Howard introduced 100% tax break on plantations costing billions of dollars.

This iniquitious scheme should be outlawed.

But the Rudd Labor goverment support it fully why?

The demise of Great Southern, Timber Corp, and now F.E.A. has left investors lamenting., losing thousands of million dollars

Self funded retirees – Super. Funds not exempted.

This is a revamp of the old illegal ” Pyramid ” SCHEME.

WHEN INVESTORS STOP THE COMPANY COLLAPES.

The goverment should close this loophole , whereby financial advisers were paid 30% to 50% to lure investors.

Plantations have changed the whole landscape of this beautiful isle.

Many small rural towns are now non existent Northwest Coast, viable farm land bought and transformed into plantations.

All round the state the purchase prices paid were far in excess of valuation causing genuine farmers now paying $20,000—$30,000 extra in council rates { council revaluation }

The use of noxious chemicals, Atrizene, 1080, and other should be banned immediatley.

Plantations should not be allowed to be planted , within 2.K.M. OF RIVERS , STREAMS , AND WATERWAYS. etc

Tasmanian has lost its name Apple Isle to Plantation Isle.

Basil Fitch is a former Launceston City Council alderman