Tasmanian Forests Agreement

Tasmanian Citizens note that: (1) The Labor/Green government's Tasmanian Forests Agreement is responsible for the collapse of the forest industry and the massive loss of jobs effecting individuals, families and communities across Tasmania but especially in rural and regional areas. (2) The ongoing protests by environmental organisations have breached the durability clauses of the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Act 2013 currently and has not delivered the so-called 'peace in our forests' that has been claimed. (3) The proposed lock up of more than 500,000 hectares of Tasmania is at the expense of a sustainable forest industry, including the important specialty timber sector and jobs. (4) The Tasmanian Forests Agreement was meant to lead to support for a Tamar Valley plup mill, the re-opening of the Triabunna woodchip mill and access to adequate timber to supply the ongoing operation of saw mills and specialty species timber businesses but in all respects has comprehensively failed. (5) Federal Labor has walked away from the Tasmanian Forests Agreement by no longer insisting that the $100 million compensation funds are subject to the durability clauses of the legislation. (6) The Labor/Green government had no mandate to implement the Tasmanian Forests Agreement. Your Petitioners request that the Legislative Council disallow the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Initial Proposed Reserve Order 2013.