The Liberal Government has been caught out not even consulting with the industry as it weighs up whether to wind up Forestry Tasmania.
Labor revealed in Parliament this week that the Resources Minister Paul Harriss is not prepared to guarantee Forestry Tasmania’s future.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Mr Harriss finds himself in a very awkward situation.
“This is the man who said Forestry Tasmania would trade its way out of financial trouble under a Liberal Government,” Mr Green said.
“If he ends up being the person who shuts FT down, there’s no way he can continue on as minister.
“Now it’s been revealed the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania has not even been consulted as part of the Government’s review of FT.
“This makes a mockery of the Liberals’ promise to support the industry.
“FIAT was fully involved in every decision the previous government made when it came to forestry.
“FIAT has to be involved in a discussion as important as this.
“In today’s paper Paul Harriss was hiding behind a spokesman instead of communicating with FT staff directly. There’s a complete lack of leadership from the Minister.
“In less than 12 months the Liberals have gone from promising to ‘unlock the forest industry’ to a situation where the industry has no greater access to timber and the future of FT cannot be guaranteed.
“FIAT boss Terry Edwards reminded ABC radio listeners this morning that a ‘change in international markets’ was at the heart of the industry’s downsizing in recent years.
“It’s clear that Paul Harris mislead the Tasmania people before the election and now he is acting like an ostrich with his head in the sand.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
