Greens Leader and Forests spokesperson Kim Booth MP today said public statements by the Forest Stewardship Council’s chief auditor make it clear that the Liberal’s “policy” could jeopardise Forestry Tasmania’s bid for certification and destroy the industry.
“The Liberal’s policy back-flip of placing 400, 000 hectares of identified high conservation value forest into a deferred logging category, is not only an admission that there is no demand for the timber, but will also fail to grow the industry,” Mr Booth said.
“It also raises serious question marks over the claims made by the Liberals that they will grow the industry by opening these areas to logging.”
“Clearly Forests Minister, Paul Hariss cannot see the wood for the trees and we will once again see government meddling in the industry and ultimately destroy it.”
“The Liberals divisive decision to log recognised conservation areas, whilst pretending that they will be ring fenced from FSC consideration, will make the Tasmanian timber Industry the laughing stock of the planet.”
“The auditor for Forestry Tasmania’s bid for Forest Stewardship Council Certification, has publicly stated that Forestry Tasmania’s certification bid could be jeopardised should it log these forests.”
“Instead of growing the industry as he promised, Will Hodgman will instead be responsible for losing markets and undermining Forestry Tasmania’s capacity to achieve FSC certification.”
“As Liberal Leader, Mr Hodgman needs to front the Tasmanian people and apologise for getting it so wrong on forestry.”
“The Liberals are exposed for taking false and ridiculous claims to the election which they cannot deliver, and they need to be brought to account.”
“The sad thing is that whilst Mr Hariss and Mr Hodgman lay back in the limos feeling “elegant”, the native forest industry will lose markets and eventually collapse if they pursue this absurd policy,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
