Paul Harriss misleads Tasmanians over forestry job losses

Resources Minister Paul Harriss needs to come clean on exactly how many Forestry Tasmania workers still face the axe.

Almost 50 forestry workers have been given their marching orders despite denials by Mr Harriss.

Mr Harriss has misled Tasmanians and the Parliament by stating there would be no job losses at Forestry Tasmania.

This is what Mr Harriss told a Budget Estimates hearing on June 11, 2015

Mr GREEN – So how many people will lose their jobs from Forestry Tasmania as a result of your complete betrayal of that organisation?

Mr HARRISS – There is a detailed due diligence process being undertaken by Forestry Tasmania with both the board and the management. That process will go through the due diligence that it needs to so that there is proper and structured negotiation with the employees.

Mr GREEN – They have already been sacked.

Mr HARRISS – That is not true. The member tells porkies when it comes to the truth of what is going on here. Nobody has been sacked.

It is very clear who is telling the truth. Whether Mr Harriss accepts workers have been sacked or not, the truth is these jobs have gone and there are more to go.

Mr Harriss continues to try to dodge and weave his way out of the promises he made before the election that the industry would expand and forestry jobs would be secure.
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader