Labor must explain forestry deals with Greens

THE ANNOUNCEMENT by Prime Minister Gillard of a preference swap deal with the Greens is a disaster for Tasmania’s forestry industry.
“Preferences do not come for free. Labor must explain how many jobs were traded away as part of this dirty, backroom deal,” said Federal Coalition spokesperson for Forestry Senator Richard Colbeck.
“Labor has a strong track record in producing policy to bring down Tasmania’s forestry industry. Its 2004 election policy would have been an unmitigated disaster if it had won Government.
“Environment Minister Peter Garrett has for many years coveted the demise of Tasmanian’s forestry sector.
“And we know Forestry Minister Tony Burke was secretly slinking around Tasmania a couple of weeks ago following his part in the backroom knifing of Kevin Rudd.
“What backroom dealing has Minister Burke been doing with the Greens and their fringe group friends?
“Secret Labor sources have informed mainland media that Labor is reluctant to release its policy for Tasmania’s forests until after the election.
“Now we know Labor and Green have done a dirty, backroom deal it is crucial Labor come clean on its plans for Tasmania’s forestry industry jobs.
“Labor must explain how many jobs will be done away with under its devastating forestry policy and it must explain what it will do for rural and regional communities destroyed under its plan.
“The electorate deserves to know Labor’s plan for the forest industry well before election day. It will be too late afterwards when the Greens possibly take balance of power in the Senate.”