Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Forestry

Wednesday 1st June, 2011

Gunns’ announcement

Gunns’ announcement today that they will be selling or closing all of their assets in Tasmania is a body-blow to timber workers, and their communities.

By refusing to guarantee on-going wood supply to Gunns’ hardwood sawmills as a result of the Statement of Principles, the Green-Labor Government is damaging the chances of these mills being sold.

If these mills shut, up to 350 jobs will be lost.

Unlike Ms Giddings, we don’t welcome this news.

In regards to the pulp mill, we continue to strongly support the mill and want to see it built. However, unlike the Green-Labor Government we believe that we can and should have a viable native forest industry as well.

Under our win-win 13-point plan, we have proposed a way in which Tasmanian can have a strong native forest industry and the pulp mill.