The Tasmanian Government indicated it is neither fazed nor surprised by an Upper House move to block the final approval of the forest peace deal legislation. Source: ABC News
The member for Huon Paul Harriss said his motion to prevent the creation of new forest reserves will be brought on for debate if the Government fails to address problems raised in the first report on the implementation of the deal.
The progress report released last month revealed a “critical” shortage of wood was hampering its success, blaming delays in closing sawmills.
Laws to enact the agreement to reduce native forest logging will be terminated if a majority of Upper House MPs back Mr Harriss’ motion.
The Member for Huon has also flagged creating a second Upper House inquiry to evaluate problems with the peace deal’s implementation.
He said the second inquiry would be short and sharp, unlike a lengthy inquiry earlier this year.
The Premier Lara Giddings said the government will report next week on how it will fix the peace deal problems.
“We are working through the Tasmanian forest agreement as it has been agreed to and we hope the Legislative Council will in time enable the process to continue, as it should by accepting the reserves in the appropriate timeframe that’s in place,” she said.
Ms Giddings says she is not surprised by Mr Harriss’ latest move.
“We know Paul Harriss does not support the Tasmanian forest agreement, we know he will do everything he can to try to damage it.”
Mr Harriss said the pressure is now on the Government to come up with answers.
“This is not about a spoiler motion at all, this is about properly getting the answers to some of the questions which are troubling the industry,” he said.
At least one of the Huon MLC’s colleagues has indicated he will not support the motion.
Independent Liberal Tony Mulder has questioned Mr Harriss’ motives.
“There’s no need to move a motion of disallowance at this point in time, there is still plenty of time for the Government’s response to be provided and then to make a decision on whether we move a disallowance motion,” said Mulder.
He is challenging Harriss to bring on debate on his motion as soon as possible to end the uncertainty.
“And not delay the agony for all those victims of Gunns’ poor decisions.”
The Upper House has until October to decide whether it will support a bill enabling the historic agreement, negotiated by forest industry and environmental groups.
