The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding the forest industry and the jobs it supports in regional Tasmania.
The decision by the Victorian Labor Government to buy-out the Hermal Group’s Australian Sustainable Hardwoods mill in Victoria has not changed the company’s interest in establishing a mill processing Tasmanian plantation timber in Burnie – in fact, the company has said this makes their Burnie proposal much simpler.
My office has been in contact with the Hermal Group today and they have repeated their interest in a Burnie mill, and we expect to receive a formal proposal in coming weeks.
Our discussions with the company have been extremely productive and we will continue to work together to help bring a new mill to the State.
It is worth noting that today’s announcement could mean that less Victorian employees would need to transfer to a Burnie operation, meaning more jobs for Tasmanians.
It is very pleasing that ASH are looking at a new operation in Tasmania at the same time as selling their Victorian operation, which shows the difference once again between doing business under a majority Liberal Government compared to Labor Governments who lock up forests and destroy jobs.
Guy Barnett, Minister for Resources
