The Wilderness Society today congratulated Liberal leader Will Hodgman on his election as Premier, but noted his acceptance speech admission that the Liberals ‘do not have all the answers.’ This admission particularity applies to forest policy.

The Liberal’s failed to articulate a forest policy, instead taking a position dominated by rhetorical statements of tearing up a consensus-based plan for the forest industry and forest protection. This position was devoid of detail as to positive, proactive steps they would take to address the real and fundamental challenges facing the industry and Tasmania’s forests, or how much it would cost.

“We congratulate Mr Hodgman, his colleagues and all candidates elected in yesterday’s poll,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.

“But we reiterate our call for him not to attack the only collaborative plan Tasmania has for moving beyond the divisive debates over forestry. Tearing up the Forest Agreement will take away our capacity to support a new and prosperous forest industry and threatens to take Tasmania back to conflict and contestation.

“In failing to articulate a positive and proactive policy regarding forestry, the Liberals cannot claim a mandate and Mr Hodgman’s admission indicates they still have the space to recognise the only answer to this issue rests with the Tasmanian Forest Agreement.

“When it comes to forests, the mandate Mr Hodgman needs to respect is that of the market place and that has already spoken. Markets have moved on from contested wood from sensitive areas of unique forests like the upper Florentine, Blue Tier and Wielangta. Undoing protections so they can be logged simply will not work.

“The Wilderness Society is committed to the Forest Agreement and will continue to participate in the forums it established and support all of its outcomes.

“We’ll happily meet with Premier Hodgman and his forestry and environment Ministers to discuss our commitment and Government actions to continue implementation of the agreement.

“To properly appreciate what’s at stake, that initial meeting should be in the forests themselves and we extend an invite for Mr Hodgman to visit the upper Florentine.
Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.