Liberals' opposition to Tasmanian forest agreement could stop AU$276M from flowing to struggling workers, restructuring forest industry, says Deputy Premier Brian Green

Wendy Lisney

HOBART, Tasmania , October 3, 2011 (Government of Tasmania) – The Deputy Premier Bryan Green said there was nothing new in correspondence the Liberal Party has released today in relation to compensation for Gunns Ltd exiting the native forest industry.

“We have said all along that Gunns Limited retired its wood supply contracts with Forestry Tasmania and there is no question about that,” Mr Green said.

“The Solicitor General advised that a commercial settlement was the best way to extinguish these residual rights in order to progress the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement without the risk of becoming embroiled in lengthy and costly legal action.

“There is nothing in the correspondence the Liberals have released today that contradicts the fact that those residual rights existed.

“The Liberal Party needs to stop their complete denial of the changes in the forest industry.

“By continuing to oppose the IGA, they are opposing $276 million flowing to the state to support struggling workers, restructure the forest industry and strengthen the economy.

“The head in the sand approach of Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein does nothing to address the challenges in the industry, in fact, it would only make them worse,” Mr Green said.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.