Liberals will always back our forestry industry

Tasmania’s contemporary, sustainable native forestry is a success story that we can all be proud of. 

Minister for Resources, Felix Ellis, said that while it was no surprise to see the Greens target this sustainable industry, Labor's continued dithering has shown how far the party has drifted from its roots as a party for workers. 

“Forestry is a sustainable and renewable industry. It provides the timber we need to build our homes, fibre to help bring about a plastic free future and sequesters carbon,” he said. 

“What’s more, our native forestry sector plays a key role in the active management of the landscape improving its resilience to bushfires. 

Minister Ellis said Tasmanian Labor has been predictably silent on the issue of native forestry, and the Greens are only listening to the science that suits their pre-conceived position. 

“It seems Labor’s decision to shut the native forestry sector in Western Australia and Victoria isn’t enough,” Minister Ellis said. 

“Media reports indicate that rank and file Labor members are pressuring the Federal Labor Government to end native forestry across the country. 

“This puts Labor’s party machine in Tasmania on a collision course with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who personally promised workers during the election campaign ‘a Government I lead will not shut down the native forest industry in Tasmania’. 

“What is Tasmanian Labor’s position on our sustainable native forestry sector? 

“Will they support our Government to increase certainty and supply for the industry? 

“Unfortunately, Tasmanians know that the biggest risk to forestry, which is worth $1.2 billion annually to the economy of this State, is Labor and the Greens.”