Taxpayer Funded Machinery Back in the Native Forest
The Tasmanian Greens today called on Forestry Tasmania to explain how logging machinery bought out under the forestry exit grant program was still in use.
Greens Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said he had obtained reliable information that a Komatsu excavator paid out with public money as part of an exit from native forestry, was working at the Leslie Vale Forestry Tasmania log stockpile on Thursday, splitting native forest logs.
“My understanding is that this machine belonged to South Cape Harvesters which was bought out by Aprin Logging.”
“Aprin Logging, or its principals, then received a publicly funded exit package to exit native forest but for some reason this machine is still in the industry.”
“Forestry Tasmania must immediately explain why they are contracting this machinery to split up native forest logs, when it was paid for with public exit money, supposedly to reduce capacity.”
“They must release all details relating to the contract and whether this is a new contractor that has been engaged rather than using a current contractor, or be compelled to release them during the upcoming state and federal inquiries into the exit grants program.”
“This $45 million exit assistance program seems to have been a mismanaged mess from the start, and has wasted of public money and failed to reduce capacity,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP Greens Forestry Spokesperson Friday, 12 April 2013
