The extraordinary rhetoric of Prime Minister Tony Abbott …
Tasmania to see renaissance of forestry industry, Tony Abbott says, in the Australian here
and,
No such rhetoric for the car industry, or the aluminium refining industry or the fruit-canning industry.
What is it about the forest industry that attracts such unquestioned support, devotion and loyalty? Support and devotion that other Australian industries can only dream about! It’s almost magical. Perhaps it’s the forest fairies!
However, given the $billions of taxpayer and investor dollars that have been squandered on the industry over the past 20 years and its poor commercial performance, I would think some of Treasurer Joe Hockey’s “tough love” would be a better deal for the industry.
Instead it looks like good old Uncle Joe will come down with a few more $100 million of spare change in his generous pockets to go dancing once again with the forest fairies. As usual the money will disappear but the fairies will fail to show. Fairies are like that!
Mr Abbott’s rhetoric almost gives me the impression that the Federal Government is looking to buy Gunns forest assets and build and operate the Tamar Valley Pulpmill.
There are powerful echoes of John Howard here.
But after Saturday’s State election results there’s little point in commentary.
The next few years will be very interesting indeed, but I doubt they will be good for the forest industry.
When an industry is so enthralled to the whims and fancies of the political cycle there is little incentive for investment.
So let us all play the Wishing game one more time. What’s another 20 years amongst friends?
• Richard Colbeck: Tasmanians have spoken twice: enough is enough. World Heritge mockery
• Nick McKim: Liberal forests plan, please
• Michael Mansell: Aboriginal people will seek an early meeting with Premier-elect Will Hodgman
• Nick McKim: Liberals’ off the shelf post-election strategy
• Business Spectator: Assistant Treasurer Sinodinos under ICAC scrutiny: report
