[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Forestry Dodges Question Whether Bartlett Was Pressured on Wood Supply Deal_K Booth MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PREMIER'S WORDS IN DOUBT

As Forestry Tasmania and Minister Fail to Confirm Contact Before
Bartlett's Backflip
 
Kim Booth MP
Greens Shadow Forestry Spokesperson

Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today accused Forestry Tasmania of evasion during
Government Business Enterprise hearings after FT representatives avoided
directly answering repeated questions regarding Premier David Bartlett's
"sound commercial reasons" comment regarding the continuation of the
pulp mill Wood Supply Agreement (WSA), as well as the Premier's marked
change in attitude the very day after his comment was publicly reported
on the 29th of August. 

Greens Shadow Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said he wanted to know
whether FT or any of its representatives had contacted and lobbied
Premier Bartlett following his "sound commercial reasons" comment,
regarding the WSA, and if so, what were the reasons used to convince the
Premier to exclude the pulp mill's 20-year Wood Supply Agreement from
his commitment. 

"The pulp mill's WSA will deliver thirty million tonnes of
publicly-owned Tasmanian timber to Gunns, at knock-down prices of less
than $15 per tonne, and I want to know how this does not constitute
continuing government support," said Mr Booth.

"On Friday 29th of August Premier Bartlett claimed to be asking FT for
'sound commercial reasons' as to why Gunns mill should continue to
receive continued government support, but the very next day the 'line in
the sand' apparently washed away and Premier Bartlett suddenly performed
his triple backflip, with pike, meekly stating that the future of the
pulp mill's WSA is now up to FT."   

"FT's refusal to either confirm or deny that they contacted the Premier
following his comment, that indicated the WSA may be reviewed, suggests
that there is substance to my questions."

"Bartlett's backflip raises the serious issue of just who is running
this state."

"Has FT provided any 'sound commercial reasons' to change Premier
Bartlett's mind on continuing government support for the pulp mill via
the WSA, or did the Premier simply fold like a deck-chair when the
woodchip barons got on the phone the next day?"

"Really, I just want to know who actually makes the big decisions in
Tasmania - is it Premier David Bartlett, or is it a case of Forestry
Tasmania and the woodchip barons still pulling the Premier's strings?,"
said Mr Booth.




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