LESTER BARKER, Woodchip Communities Australia, MEDIA RELEASE
Woodchip Communities Australia welcomes the announcement that Scott McLean is seeking ALP pre-selection for the electorate of Bass at the next State election, said state president Lester Barker.
Mr McLean is the State Secretary of the CFMEU Forestry and Forestry Products Division. Mr McLean has been asked to run to keep existing jobs at the pulp mill, and to create new jobs for woodchip dependent families in the Tamar Valley.. And to represent all the people in Bass.
“Woodchip Communities Australia never again wants to see its brightest and best leaving the State because of a lack of work. By running Scott McLean in Bass we will ensure that never happens” said Mr Barker.
Woodchip Communities have been encouraging Mr McLean for some months to seek pre-selection for Labor in Bass and today we congratulate the CFMEU union.
A source in the CFMEU told WCA that though they are aware that Pulp Mill may not have a social licence but sometimes communities just have to trust government and accept what is best for Tasmania. WCA believes that the CFMEU supports our vision for a woodchip and pulp led revival of the Tamar Valley region. WCA believes that Mr Mclean is the best thing for Bass and trusts that Labor will see this and pre-select Scott to fill Mr Cox’s vacant seat.
WCA takes a pragmatic view and believes it is crucial that the ALP pre-select Mr Mclean because the way our democracy works most people vote labor or liberal by default. Therefore any labor candidate is sure to stand a good chance of being elected to a seat in the Tasmanian parliament. Aside from Mr Gay and Mr Lennon, Woodchip communities have traditionally lacked a voice in the parliament and we believe that Scott Mclean will be that voice. We just hope that Labor and the people of Bass try and understand it and make a noise and make it clear that they want the mill.
The Gunns Pulp Mill will give woodchip dependent families that have been laid off by Gunns in many other areas of the north thousands of jobs here in Bass. It is well known that Mr McLean is a strong supporter of a world-class pulp mill and WCA trusts that he’ll not waver from that support which is unlikely as he is running for Labor.
Woodchip Communities Australia is also pleased to announce today that it is holding talks with UTAS and the Tasmanian government in regards to elevating the status of timber workers through a tertiary qualification.
WCA is seeking a commitment from the Federal Government to set aside HECS and sponsor a free Bachelor of Timber Working Degree. This would give Woodchip workers the professional status and recognition they have long deserved.
Mr. McLean is well known for his vigorous support of higher education and there is no better example of the benefits of tertiary education than the membership of the CFMEU and WCA. WCA will be taking this proposal to Mr McLean should he be elected in the seat of Bass.
Lester Barker,
State President
Woodchip Communities Australia
