The inclusion of wood residues as renewable energy by the Federal Government for the purposes of the RET is welcome and strongly supported by the Hodgman Liberal Government.

It is important that all possible uses for wood residues are available in order to maximise jobs in the forest industry, and there is no doubt that using wood residue to create renewable energy is preferable to exporting woodchips.

Federal Labor’s opposition to this sensible initiative is disappointing but not surprising.

This is a test for Tasmanian Labor leader Bryan Green – will he “thump the table” and convince Federal Labor to change their position, or is he still captive to the Greens?

Paul Harriss, Minister for Resources