Kim Booth: Forestry Tasmania must provide requested data to WHA Senate Committee

Premier Will Hodgman is under pressure to ensure Forestry Tasmania complies with requests for relevant data and information made by the Senate Committee inquiring into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area minor boundary modification passed by the World Heritage Committee in June last year.

“In light of Forestry Tasmania’s non-appearance before the Senate Committee hearings, the GBE was then requested by the Committee to provide forest data but apparently this information has yet to arrive,” said Greens Leader Kim Booth MP.

“It is imperative that the Senate Committee receives all necessary information and documentation as swiftly as possible, given it is scheduled to release its report next week.”

“It is extraordinary that when asked in Parliament this morning to guarantee that Forestry Tasmania will comply with the Senate Committee request, Premier Hodgman flatly ruled out taking any action to direct the GBE to do so.”

“This refusal to intervene is in effect the Premier endorsing a government owned business treating the Commonwealth Parliament with contempt.”

“So much for accountability.”

“Here we go again, another demonstration of the arrogance of majority government.”

“The Greens urgently call on Premier Hodgman to rethink his hasty dismissal this morning, get on the phone to Forestry Tasmania and make it clear it is his expectation that they co-operate fully with the Senate Committee,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader