The Greens have clawed back gains with the Gillard government to protect big tracts of Tasmanian native forests.
THE Greens have clawed back gains with the Gillard government to protect big tracts of Tasmanian native forests in an inter-government deal aimed at achieving peace on the island.
The 430,000 hectares of forests to get stronger protection from Canberra have been the scenes of some of Australia's most bitter and protracted logging disputes over decades.
The last-minute changes after protracted negotiations stung the forest industry, which is calling the deal a bitterly disappointing sham.
When the $276 million peace package was initialled a fortnight ago, Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings left open the prospect of logging in these forests if there was no other option. The Greens withheld their backing from the deal.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said yesterday that in finalising the agreement there had been a chance to provide ''clear, immediate protection'' for the 430,000 hectares while still meeting industry's need for wood supply. Under the changes, the federal government will strike a legislatively backed conservation agreement with the state, protecting these forests and, if necessary, compensating loggers to stay out of them.
Greens leader Bob Brown said he told Ms Gillard the Greens would not accept the initial package, which failed to deliver on earlier agreements in the long-running peace talks between industry and environment groups.
''I'm now looking forward to working with the federal government to get the World Heritage outcomes here,'' Senator Brown said.
Among forests to be immediately reserved are tall old-growth eucalypts fringing the existing Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, some of Australia's largest temperate rainforest in the Tarkine and the contentious Wielangta forest on the east coast.
Senator Brown faced the threat of being bankrupted out of the Senate in 2009 over legal bills for his failed fight to stop logging in Wielangta to protect threatened species. ''Wielangta now seems to be moving to a national park,'' Senator Brown said.
The total 430,000 hectares is now to be formally assessed and legislated into reserves in a process likely to take at least 12 months.
These national parks and reserves, together with changes to wood supply agreements, will have to navigate a hostile conservative upper house in the State Parliament.
Ms Giddings said if they did not, then Tasmania would not get $100 million regional development assistance, or more than $35 million to look after the new protected areas.
But the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania was deeply angered by the last-minute changes, which also drop a legislated guarantee for wood supply to a key veneer mill in the state's south.
Association chief executive Terry Edwards said it was a cynical sellout and he could only hope Tasmania's Legislative Council would see the folly of pandering to the Greens.
The Coalition's forests spokesman, Richard Colbeck, said the deal capitulated to green groups by cutting in half Tasmania's $1.4 billion forest industry. Doubts remain over the position of the major timber player, Gunns Limited. Its decision to abandon native forest logging opened the door for the peace talks.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What was the Tasmanian forest deal negotiated by the Greens and the Gillard government?
The deal is an inter-government agreement backed by the Gillard government and the Greens to provide stronger protection for 430,000 hectares of Tasmanian native forests. It grew out of a $276 million “peace package” intended to resolve decades of bitter logging disputes and aims to balance immediate conservation outcomes with industry wood‑supply needs.
Which specific Tasmanian forests are to get protection under the agreement?
Forests to be immediately reserved include tall old‑growth eucalypts bordering the existing Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, large tracts of temperate rainforest in the Tarkine, and the contentious Wielangta forest on the east coast.
How will the federal government protect the 430,000 hectares of forest?
The federal government will strike a legislatively backed conservation agreement with the Tasmanian state government to protect the forests. The arrangement can include compensating loggers to stay out of the protected areas if necessary, and the areas will be formally assessed and legislated into reserves.
How long will it take to formalise the new national parks and reserves?
The article says the 430,000 hectares are to be formally assessed and legislated into reserves in a process likely to take at least 12 months.
What are the main impacts of the deal for the Tasmanian forest industry and timber supply?
Industry reaction was strongly negative: the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania called the last‑minute changes a cynical sellout, and the Coalition said the deal cut into Tasmania’s $1.4 billion forest industry. The agreement also drops a previously legislated wood‑supply guarantee to a key veneer mill and will require changes to wood‑supply agreements, with potential compensation arrangements for affected loggers.
Does the agreement include financial support or conditions for Tasmania?
Yes. The arrangement stems from a $276 million peace package. Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings warned that if state parliament did not pass the measures, Tasmania would forfeit $100 million in regional development assistance and more than $35 million earmarked to look after the new protected areas. The federal plan also contemplates compensating loggers if needed.
What does the article say about Gunns Limited and other major timber players?
The article notes doubts remain over the position of major timber player Gunns Limited. It also states that Gunns’ decision to abandon native‑forest logging opened the door for the peace talks that led to the agreement.
What political or legislative risks should investors watch related to the Tasmanian forests deal?
Investors should watch the Tasmanian Parliament’s upper house (the Legislative Council), which the article describes as a hostile conservative chamber that could block changes. The success of the conservation legislation, amendments to wood‑supply agreements, and any compensation arrangements for loggers will determine how the deal affects timber businesses and regional funding.
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