The Tasmanian Greens and the Forest Industry Association (FIAT) are pushing for the forest peace talks to be wound up soon. FIAT has declared it will return to the talks to end the state’s long-running forest wars. Source: ABC News
Chief executive Terry Edwards said the Commonwealth and State governments were losing patience with the process and an agreement to restructure the state’s struggling forest industry had to be reached by the end of the month.
Greens leader Nick McKim said FIAT’s return to the talks should prompt other suspended forest groups to return to the peace talks.
“I do believe that at some stage we will either need from the signatories an agreement or an agreement that an agreement can’t be reached,” he said.
“So look, I would like to see this process concluded, I think most Tasmanians would like to see this process concluded. The good news now is that with FIAT back in, the process can proceed.”
The $276 million dollar federally funded forest peace talks have been running for two years.
The Forest Industries Association, which represents large saw millers and veneer processor Ta Ann, had suspended its involvement in the talks over the Government’s plan to overhaul Forestry Tasmania.
Members met on Friday to vote on whether to walk out permanently. Edwards said it was a tight vote but a last minute letter from the Premier Lara Giddings prompted the group to return to the table.
Mr Edwards would not detail what the letter said other than saying it gave assurances the industry would be consulted about the changes to Forestry Tasmania.
“She has clearly indicated that the reform will be evidence-based and that’s something we’ve been asking for since the announcement of the reforms of FT.
“Our concern to date has been that it will be politically-based, not evidence-based, and that’s a very welcome change of direction by the government.”
Edwards put a new final deadline on the peace talks – the end of the month.
He said FIAT would withdraw permanently if a decision was not made by then.
