Resources Minister Bryan Green’s $3.6 million subsidy ( HERE )to drive logging deeper into high conservation value forests is a provocative and damaging act while constructive negotiations are underway between conservationists and the forestry industry, the Australian Greens said today.
“A lot of goodwill is being invested by both sides at the moment searching for a positive solution, and provocative acts such as this squander such good will,” said Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.
“Wiser heads in the industry should be concerned that this ideologically driven Minister is undermining the chances of a positive outcome for both the forests and the forestry contractors.
“This handout gives the lie to the claim that Tasmania’s logging industry is sawlog driven. If that were the case, the subsidy would be unnecessary. Woodchipping has long propped up sawlog forestry and both are clearly unsustainable in native forests.
“Tasmanians should note that this latest handout comes from the same duo – Minister Bryan Green and Department Secretary Norm Macilfatrick – who approved more than $70 million of grants which propped up the industry from 2005 to now without delivering the transition out of high conservation value forests.
“When this money runs out, the wheels will fall off again as the industry is clearly not viable in its current form.
What then?
“In this UN year of biodiversity, and in the midst of a climate crisis, it is immoral to turn logging of precious native forests into a make-work program.
“Forestry workers and communities deserve much better from their leaders – they deserve a real plan for the future, not more short-term hand-outs which can only prolong the uncertainty and undermine the chances of long-term, secure jobs and businesses.”
Earlier:
Where has your money gone? HERE
