Tasmania’s forests need urgent bailout

“Tasmania’s high conservation value forests should be provided immediate protection from further logging, as loggers are going to be given further subsidies. Today’s announcement by Federal Labor Minister Tony Burke that $20 million funding would be immediately available if they form a minority government to logging contractors, has not provided a solution for the adequate protection of Tasmania’s forests,” Huon Valley Environment Centre’s spokesperson Jenny Weber said.

“Tasmania’s forests need adequate and the community need full reform from the current crisis. Tasmania needs real plans for the future and long-term reform. Loggers should be financially supported to exit the industry, though Burke’s hand out may see the further logging of high conservation value forests,” Jenny Weber said.

“The logging of Tasmania’s forests is heavily subsidized by the Federal and State Government, it is estimated that $767 million of taxpayers subsidies has been given to Tasmania’s forest industry over the last twelve years. Meanwhile every day large swathes of ancient forests are clear felled and habitat for endangered species is vanishing, at the helm of an unviable industry,” Jenny Weber said.
Jenny Weber