The House of Assembly Community Development Committee has today released the witness list and schedule for the first two days of hearings into the closure, sale and ultimate dismantling of the Triabunna woodchip mill.
Through the Parliamentary Inquiry the Committee hopes to establish who was responsible, who knew what and when and who attempted to cover up their actions. Importantly, the inquiry will also look to the future and at other opportunities for Triabunna and the surrounding regions.
As Chair of the Committee I look forward to investigating this matter, providing assurance to Tasmanians that proper processes were followed and exploring future opportunities for Triabunna.
The witness list released on the Parliamentary Website outlines the following people will be called to provide testimonies.
Tuesday, August 12
• Ron O’Connor/ Mark Sealey
• Darren Oates
• Leigh Arnold
• Robert Torenius
• Ken Hughes
• Terry Edwards
• Steve Whiteley
Wednesday, August 13
• Robert Eastment
• Alex Schaap
• Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, Bertrand Cadart and David Metcalf
• Debbie Wisby, Orford-Tribaunna Chamber of Commerce
• Bob Gordon
• Dr Dan Norton/Paul Weedon
• TFGA Peter Skillern
The Committee looks forward to getting to the bottom of this murky issue and to providing future opportunities to the Triabunna community.
The full list with times can be found at the following link: link http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ctee/House/TermsofReference/NOTICE%20OF%20PUBLIC%20HEARINGS.pdf.
• John Hayward, in Comments: If you weren’t from Tas, you might have expected the witness list to include the mill owners, Alec Marr, and some expertise on the legal issues. Guy has probably been swotting up on Inquisition procedures.
• John Hawkins, in Comments: Schaap, Edwards and Gordon are three key figures who have contributed to the demise and bankruptcy of the Forestry industry in this State. Schaap saw a substantially-commenced pulp mill at Longreach; a decision that must eventually come back to haunt him. Edwards helped to bring the Forest industry to its knees by his blinkered approach to FSC, Quotas and Gunns; the log truck drivers with their hire purchase contracts will not bless him. Gordon as CEO ran a bankrupt GBE further into the ground by using up the government’s $120 million-plus letter of comfort to Forestry Tasmania. He should never have been allowed to resign; he should have been fired. Barnett ask some real questions of these three people and find out under oath the reasons for their actions, actions that have caused the demise of a perfectly good selective logging industry in this state and the closure of 100 plus sawmills in less than 10 years. Witch hunts and jackboots are not a good look; be warned we the people are watching.
• Glennis, in Comments: Much as it would be wonderful to see Graeme Wood’s vision come to fruition I hope that he walks away and tells the government what to do with the mill. It’s disgraceful that someone wants to spend millions on a scrapheap of rubbish and make something world class when our government trumpets ‘open for business’ then has an enquiry because the ‘right’ person didn’t buy it! Take your money Mr Wood and do something where people appreciate you!
• The Australian: Parents, pensioners would fall foul of Tasmania anti-protest laws THE Tasmanian government’s controversial anti-protest laws targeting “dreadlocked” forestry industry disrupters are so broad they would capture parents, pensioners and anyone else who “hinders” business, a labour law firm has warned unions.
• Mercury: Empty nest: Eagle-eyed opportunity awaits THE closure of a $6.5 million tourism development is robbing Tasmanians and visitors of the chance to access what has been described as one of the most memorable wilderness experiences in the country. The Eagles Eyrie lookout and mountaintop restaurant has been idle since last November …
• ABC: Triabunna inquiry: Witness claims grudge by Gunns boss played role in 2011 mill sale
