Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Industry

Wednesday 5th May 2010

Labor Has No Plan To Help Forestry Workers

In Parliament today Bryan Green refused to offer any further support to forest contractors doing it tough in Tasmania.

What was also apparent today was that once again Mr Green was not across his portfolio responsibilities as it was quite clear from the answer he gave that he had no knowledge of the planned shutdown of the Longreach mill on the 1st of June.

This is another cruel blow for forestry contractors who have now endured both shutdowns and lengthy periods without work as well as the difficulties affecting forestry company FEA which will leave many forestry contractors out of pocket as well.

This coming shutdown will mean that including the Christmas break some forestry contractors would have lost 15 weeks work in this year alone.

There is no doubt that before this most recent shutdown was announced forestry contractors, and those second tier contractors involved in roading, site works and silviculture have been doing it tough. This latest shut down will be a savage blow.

The Government must announce another support package that includes second tier contractors as well otherwise many small to medium businesses will simply go to the wall. However, it appeared Minister Green has no idea and no plan. It's simply not good enough, and again raises questions about Minister Green's competence.

Furthermore, the Minister confirmed today that the 800,000 tonnes of wood chip sales promised by Labor before the election has drastically shrunk, into a 40,000 tonne shipment. Minister Green must do better than this if he is going to ensure the viability of the forestry industry in Tasmania for the future.