Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam has condemned the Bob Brown Foundation’s (BBF) latest attempt to reignite the forest wars in Tasmania, by bringing legal action against Tasmania’s sustainable forest industry.
“The BBF is moving the battle lines from the forestry coupes to the courtroom, in yet another attempt to destroy a lawful and sustainable industry and the jobs of thousands of hardworking and honest men and women across the country,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“The forestry industry’s value is not only in the timber it provides, but also the jobs and livelihoods it provides to around 52, 000 hardworking men and women in regional communities around the country and I am committed to ensuring they are supported into the future.
“The Morrison Government remains committed to Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) across the country as the best mechanism for balancing environmental, economic and social demands on our native forests.
“Australia does forestry better than anywhere else in the world, and if the Bob Brown Foundation had its way, the high quality appearance grade timber sold in Australia would all be imported from other countries, with no guarantee they have strict environmental standards.
“We have a world-class, sustainable forestry industry that deserves to be celebrated, not decimated, by activists.”