Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Forestry

Wednesday 6th July, 2011

Transparency needed on forestry deals

The Green-Labor Government must clearly explain itself over revelations in Parliament today regarding forestry matters.

The Green-Labor Government admitted today that rather than just providing a Government loan to the purchaser, Forestry Tasmania will now be directly involved in the operations of the Triabunna mill.

The Premier also confirmed that the Green-Labor Government would be buying back sawmill contracts from Gunns – despite a pledge from the former Premier, Mr Bartlett, not to do so.

While there is no bigger supporter of the forestry industry in Tasmania than the Liberals, what we do need is some openness and transparency regarding these deals that the Green-Labor Government have been negotiating on behalf of the taxpayer, and with taxpayers money, behind closed doors.

The Green-Labor Government appears to be in the process of committing not insignificant sums of taxpayers’ money and all Tasmanians deserve to know what’s going on.

Far from being a ‘new paradigm’, the shady dealings of the Green-Labor Government that were uncovered today are reminiscent of the old majority Labor Government.

In fact, in Parliament today it was like watching Premier Lara Giddings channelling Paul Lennon, with Nick McKim standing by and cheering.