Forestry Tasmania: funding money for nothing
Posted by Australian Conservation Foundation on September 25th, 2011 12:25 pmEnvironment groups said it would be outrageous for governments to hand over $11.5 million to Forestry Tasmania while it continues to log ancient native forests earmarked for protection under the Intergovernmental Agreement.
“Forestry Tasmania continues logging and road construction in forests that should be protected,” said Vica Bayley from the Wilderness Society.
“Providing them with an $11.5 million blank cheque will do nothing to halt logging in forests that need immediate protection.
“This would undermine public confidence in the forests agreement and inflame growing tensions over Forestry Tasmania’s apparent inability, or worse, unwillingness, to re-schedule logging operations out of the forests nominated for immediate protection,” Mr Bayley said.
“Protecting Tasmania’s native forests would provide both a public good for all Australians, together with diversification of our regional economy and supporting communities in transition,” said Dr Phill Pullinger, Director of Environment Tasmania.
“This is what justifies the significant investment allocated to the forests agreement.
“Without the delivery of forests protection, Australian taxpayers have every right to question the expenditure,” Dr Pullinger said.
“We will be raising this as an urgent issue with governments and the other signatory groups,” said Denise Boyd of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
“Protecting unique and important native forests is a fundamental pillar of this Agreement. Its delivery is as crucial as support for timber workers and contractors.”
