[Greens-Media] Nationals attack on Greens work on SE Forests shortsighted

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - Greens MP and spokesperson for SE NSW Lee Rhiannon - 24 May 2010

Nationals attack on Greens work on SE Forests shortsighted

Commenting on a statement made by National MP Melinda Pavey during her recent visit to southeast NSW, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the Nationals are attempting to shore up the declining support base by attacking the Greens in regional areas. 

"Ms Pavey's attack on the Greens cannot hide the failure of her party to deal with dwindling forestry job numbers and to plan for a sustainable future for regional and rural NSW," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"There is no future for the southeast in woodchipping native forests. The Nationals' negative response to the Greens plan that would deliver sustainable forestry jobs reinforces how out of touch this party is with 21st century Australia. 

"The Greens will continue to work to end woodchipping of native southeast forests. 

"Ms Pavey's attacks on the River Red Gum adjustment plan and her criticism of the campaign to save native forests underline how out of touch she is. 

"The River Red Gum win provides an excellent model that should be replicated for the southeast forests. 

"If the Nationals were interested in rural jobs they would understand employment numbers are dwindling in the forest industry because of the high level of mechanisation and the fact that there is insufficient timber available to meet the wood supply agreement. 

"The responsible course of action for the natural environment and for regional jobs growth in the southeast is to stop logging native timbers. 

"Jobs growth in the forestry industry can be achieved by developing value adding processes using the timber from mature southeast plantations. 

"The failure of the Nationals to back this shift in the southeast highlights that they are only interested in scare tactics to try and win votes.

"The last time the Nationals contested the state seat of Bega was 2003 when they received 4.1 per cent of the vote. The Greens received 10.2 per cent of the vote. 

"The Nationals' pro-woodchipping policy is not only bad news for native forests but it also limits jobs growth in the timber industry. The responsible position is to develop a structural adjustment plan for the southeast similar to that achieved for the River Red Gums. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email   lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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