According to Coalition Forestry spokesman Senator Colbeck, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is treating Tasmanians like mugs – asking them to believe the government has done its homework on 400 applications for forest shutdown funding in just six days.
“This is a disgusting display of pork barrelling of the highest order,” Senator Richard Colbeck said.
“We have said from the outset this is a slush fund to salvage Labor’s shattered hopes in Tasmania – trying to distract from its appalling track record, having worked with Green partners to shut down forestry and lock more of the State into reserve.
“It is an insult to the people here. Has Labor methodically worked through 400 submissions in six days? Of course not.
“Do they seriously think a $90 million sugar fix heading into the election will compensate for $700 million a year in revenue we will lose from the forest industry?”
Coalition forestry spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck has called on the Rudd government to release all documents associated with the assessment of the $100 million forest shutdown fund.
“The Liberals have been asking for weeks for details on the allocation and assessment process for what was supposed to be a strategic fund”. Senator Colbeck said.
“With some of the communities hardest hit by the forest industry shut down ignored, one can only assume that this package is about shoring up votes, not creating jobs.
“If Labor is to have any credibility then they must throw open the books.”
