[Greens-Media] Brown agrees with Abetz

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

27th May 06
Greens Leader Bob Brown has rushed to support National Forest Minister
Eric Abetz' move to ban the import of tropical timbers.
"Senator Abetz says he will release a policy paper in three months. He
should put a prohibition on the import of native rainforest timbers from
all tropical countries including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and
Malaysia. If this is where Senator Abetz is going I'll go right with
him. Australia can meet all its timber needs from its 1.5 million
hectare plantation resource," Senator Brown said. 

However, responding to Senator Abetz' complaint that no-one asked him
questions about Forestry in Senate Estimates this week, Senator Brown
quoted the Senator on his first day in the Ministry, 'I have never
sought to work with Bob Brown in a constructive way because he is in
fact an anathema to my political beliefs in a whole range of areas'.

"If Eric has changed his mind let him bring on the public debate. I
suggest Hobart Town Hall or the famous Albert Hall in Launceston. I am
ready and raring to go," Senator Brown said.

"However it does seem that Senator Abetz is a chainsaw without a chain -
all whine and no action," Senator Brown said.


Further information: Prue Cameron 0408 473 379