The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the establishment of a Select Committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the joint venture softwood log supply from two Scottsdale sawmills, following their move in the Parliament being passed with support from the Liberal Party.
Greens Forests spokesperson and Member for Bass, Kim Booth MP, said the Committee will also investigate the effect of the log supply transfer on the economy of Scottsdale and the surrounding district, as well as any measures that may be applicable to mitigate social and economic harm that has occurred due to the loss of the log supply.
“The circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the softwood log supply for Scottsdale’s sawmills need to be examined thoroughly, which will now be able to occur given the Greens’ success in getting this select Committee of Inquiry established,” Mr Booth said.
“A key are for inquiry will that of the withdrawal of the joint venture softwood log supply and its transfer to Forest Enterprises Australia’s proposed sawmill at Bell Bay, a sawmill that did not exist at the time of the transfer.”
“The Committee will also be charged with quantifying the social and economic harm that has occurred in and around Scottsdale as a result of the loss of this log supply, and to recommend any mitigation strategies to counteract the damage that has been done,” said Mr Booth.
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Text of motion to establish Select Committee, passed by the House this afternoon:
Kim Booth MP on tomorrow to move that: –
(1) A Select Committee be appointed, with power to send for persons and papers, with leave to sit during any adjournment of the House exceeding fourteen days, with leave to report from time to time and with leave to adjourn from place to place, to inquire into and report upon the Scottsdale softwood sawmills, including:-
(a) The circumstance surrounding the withdrawal of the joint venture softwood log supply from the two Scottsdale softwood sawmills and its transfer to Forest Enterprises Australia at Bell Bay
(b) The effect of that action on the Scottsdale and surrounding areas economy
(c) Measures to mitigate the social and economic harm resulting from the withdrawal of the softwood log supply; and
(d) Other matters incidental thereto.
(2) The Committee shall consist of 5 Members, being: 2 from the Government nominated by the Leader of the House; 2 from the Opposition nominated by the Leader of Opposition Business in the House; and 1 from the Tasmanian Greens nominated by the Leader of the Greens.
(3) The Committee report by 30 June 2011.
Comment 50 on the … Geoff Law analysis, HEREI have thus far declined to provide my complete record owing to the profound lack of interest in the “Auspine Saga” by regulatory authorities or political parties of all persuasions. Mr Law’s article may precipitate a change in my thinking. A few gems follow. I will allow readers to guess the speakers:
