*Pic: The buck stops … where? Minister for Resources Paul Harriss and Premier Will Hodgman
The Greens have called for a halt on further public money being provided to the forestry industry in light of confirmation there has been at least one identified case of fraud, and other instances of non-compliance, with the taxpayer funded Tasmanian Forestry Grants Programs.
“The fact that fraud charges are being considered, that numerous non compliance notices have been made and that a full compliance audit is under way confirms the stench around this controversial process has substance,” State Greens Leader and Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said.
“The State Minister, Paul Harriss must immediately cease providing any more public money to industry until the DAFF audit is complete.”
“There are also concerns that the destruction of relevant documentation was deliberate and intended to hide potential non-compliance with the grants process. This warrants an investigation whether this is the case, and if so whether the Archives Act has also been breached.”
“Minister Harris must also fully explain and justify why he is paying the diesel fuel bills of private contractors and paying sawmillers whom can’t stand on their own feet, public money that should be spent on health and education.”
“The taxpayer deserves to know all details surrounding the identified fraud and non-compliance with this industry scheme, and also needs to be confident that no more public money will be able to be rorted in a similar manner,” MR Booth said.
Greens Senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson said, “The Federal Government has provided very little information to the public about the level of fraud and non-compliance they are aware of, regarding this forestry exit package.”
“They must immediately come forward with more details about the type, number and severity of non-compliances and fraud they are pursuing.”
“If the government is serious about trying to maintain integrity in this process, then these details should be released immediately. Otherwise the companies who have properly complied will be unfairly exposed to questions about their reputation,” Senator Whish-Wilson said.
References:
• http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Completed%20inquiries/2012-13/anaotasforestsreports/report/index
Government Response:
• http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/wopapub/senate/committee/rrat_ctte/completed_inquiries/2010-13/anao_tas_forests_reports/gov_response.pdf?la=en
• John Powell, in Comments: OMG “Minister Harris must also fully explain and justify why he is paying the diesel fuel bills of private contractors and paying sawmillers whom can’t stand on their own feet, public money that should be spent on health and education.” As shareholding Ministers in FT, Harriss and Gutwein should be stood down, and Bob Annells should have a cold hard look at the Corporations Act.
• Bryan Green: Inquiry needed into Forestry Tasmania asset sell-off
• Paul Harriss: Kim Booth’s (Bryan Green’s) call for an “inquiry”
• Steve, in Comments: I loved Harris’s comment that Labor must still be wedded to the Greens because both parties have called for an inquiry. The logic is fascinating. If two people witness a crime and both report it; are they “wed”? Are they connected in any way, apart from witnessing the event to which they are objecting? I appreciate the point is essentially trivial, involving as it does a statement from a Government minister, but it shows just how pathetic they have become when the best argument they against the opposition is that the Greens said it first.
