Guy Barnett: Parliamentary Inquiry into Triabunna

The Liberal Government will move to establish a parliamentary inquiry into the destruction of the Triabunna woodchip mill.

An article in the Monthly magazine has exposed the disgraceful tactics of radical environmentalists, led by Alec Marr, to destroy the Triabunna woodchip mill.

Members of this movement are quoted shamelessly gloating about their actions, which claimed the jobs of so many Tasmanian forest workers.

The article also notes the Triabunna woodchip mill was purchased by Graeme Wood and Jan Cameron but the machinery and plant were later destroyed in an undercover move so that the mill could never be returned to operation.

While part of the story has come to light, there are now more questions that demand answers.

What did the Labor/Green government know about the mill’s destruction?

Did Labor sit idly by and let these radicals carry out their actions? Labor in government with the Greens brought on the demise of the forest industry.

The so-called forest peace deal caused massive job losses and gutted regional communities like Triabunna. It is almost inconceivable that the former Labor-Green Government did not know of this destruction. If so they would have knowingly acted in breach of their own agreement (the Intergovernmental Agreement – the forestry IGA).

It is also important now to look at development and other opportunities for Triabunna and the surrounding regions.

The proposed terms of reference for the inquiry are to inquire and report on;

• The circumstances surrounding the closure, sale and ultimate dismantling of the Triabunna woodchip mill;

• Identify development and other opportunities for the Triabunna community and the surrounding regions;

• And matters related and incidental thereto,

I will this week move that the inquiry be conducted by the House of Assembly Community Development Committee, which I chair.
Guy Barnett, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier