UPDATE: Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has issued an urgent warning about impending job losses in Tasmania following the government’s controversial deal with the Greens to pass new environmental laws. Ley’s alarming statements come just after the reforms were approved by parliament on December 1, 2023, marking a critical turning point for the forestry industry in the region.
The new legislation, which removes existing exemptions for the forestry sector from national environmental standards, threatens to devastate the industry that employs tens of thousands across Australia. Ley emphasized that this “dirty deal” could signal a “death knell” for forestry in Tasmania, a hub of timber production and processing.
In an address to the Tasmanian Liberals state council on Sunday, Ley stated, “I’m standing now in Tasmania, where hard-working businesses, sawmillers, and people in the native forest timber industry are staring down the barrel of something called a life support package.” Her comments highlight the dire situation as the government has announced a $300 million support package intended to secure jobs and maintain output, a move she argues indicates the industry’s precarious state.
The Australian Forest Products Association has voiced serious concerns, claiming that the removal of Regional Forest Agreements—which previously allowed loggers to bypass strict federal environmental regulations—will drown the sector in “green tape” and deter future investments in plantations. This has sparked fears of long-term repercussions for local jobs and economic stability.
Ley criticized the government for hastily pushing this bill through parliament, accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of prioritizing political gains over the well-being of the industry. “This is a very bad bill, unnecessarily rushed, done for political reasons,” she declared, disputing the government’s claim that the reforms would streamline project approvals. Instead, she pointed to comments from the oil and gas sector that suggest electricity prices may rise as a result of these changes.
Despite Ley’s concerns, Labor frontbencher Katy Gallagher defended the reforms, asserting that they would align forestry practices with other industries and expedite assessment pathways for projects. The government is banking on this legislative overhaul to balance environmental protections with economic needs, but the backlash from the forestry sector poses significant challenges.
With thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, the urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. As Tasmania braces for potential upheaval in its forestry industry, all eyes will be on the implications of this new legislation and the government’s ability to mitigate its impact.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
