The Premier, Will Hodgman, failed to disclose when questioned in Parliament the amount that Forestry Tasmania would have to pay to subsidise contractor log truck fuel, or where the money would come from, Greens Leader and Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today.
“It is extremely irresponsible to require Forestry Tasmania to cover the costs of underwriting contractors’ log truck fuel without even finding out how much that will cost the GBE, which is in effect costing the public purse,” Mr Booth said.
“The public have a right to know exactly how much money is going to be needed, over what period of time, and where it is going to come from.”
“Forestry Tasmania lost $43 million dollars last financial year, has no financially viable market, yet is apparently now expected to subside the log haulage costs of contractors. Either this means the GBE will incur increased debt, or the government hands over more public money to fill the gap.”
“Compounding the public subsidisation of forestry, compounds another broken Liberal promise.”
“How can it be considered okay to keep pouring public money into maintaining a pile of unsold woodchips rotting on the wharf and first grade sawlogs lying unsold and splitting in the sun, while sacking front line teachers, police and paramedics?”
“The Hodgman government’s priorities are warped beyond measure and badly out of touch with the community,” Mr Booth said.