28.08.10 Wilkie’s support for $20 million forest industry handout, will continue Tasmanian forest destruction

“Andrew Wilkie’s statement that he supports handing $20 million to
loggers to continue logging of old growth and high conservation value
forests, directly contradicts his election promises about protecting
Tasmania’s forests,” Said Jenny Weber

“Wilkie’s meeting today with Julia Gillard needs to do more for the
forests than advocate for financial support for continued forest
destruction. The Labor and Liberal federal election policy promise of
$20 million for logger’s falls short of full reform and adequate
protection of forests,” Jenny Weber said

“The Tasmanian logging industry is clearly unsustainable both
environmentally and economically, to hand over further subsidies will
do nothing to resolve the current crisis. It will instead lock in the
continued destruction of forests like the World Heritage valued Weld
Valley,” said Ms Weber

“The industry needs major reforms not further public donations to keep
the status quo. Mr Wilkie needs to honour his election promises and
work to protect Tasmania’s forests, not hand money over to continue
the destruction,” Said Ms Weber.

Andrew Wilkie's election statement on forests:

http://www.andrewwilkie.org/content/index.php/site/issues/P6/