• Forest industry concerned over rising prices and job losses
• FIAT says jobs will be “destroyed” by Barnett’s plan
• Treasurer flags 50% price jump
Resources Minister Guy Barnett has failed to address the scathing criticisms of his forestry plan from the industry.
Shadow Minister for Resources David Llewellyn said sawmillers are deeply concerned.
“The industry is warning the Minister that his policy changes could have dire consequences for sawmills and employment,” Mr Llewellyn said.
Sawmiller Matthew Torenius told ABC radio: “I’m a bit worried the Government is operating in a parallel universe, look if you put the log prices up too much, sawmills will close and regional jobs will be lost.”
“You won’t have anyone to buy the high quality sawlogs , so I guess you fix your residue problem in a sense because you’ll have no reason to cut any trees down.”
“What does Guy Barnett say in response to Mr Torenius?,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“The Treasurer has flagged that log prices could double.
“Will the Minister rule out an increase of that magnitude?”
“Forest Industries Association Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards has warned the Liberals are taking us down a path that will “destroy” jobs.
“The Minister dodged questions over when Forest Stewardship Council certification will be delivered.
“He also couldn’t explain how the current quota of peeler logs could be guaranteed under his new model.
“Labor has always worked in conjunction with the industry to try and deliver the best possible outcome for forestry in Tasmania.
“We are prepared to work towards a bipartisan position on forestry but that would require the Liberals listening to the concerns of the industry instead of ignoring them.”
David Llewellyn MP Shadow Minister for Resources
