Tasmanian forest agreement statement by the signatories

In a further report to the Tasmanian and Australian Governments on the status of their negotiations, the signatories said that the interim agreement outlined a broad range of issues, including matters going to shared objectives, an agreed vision, residue utilisation, durability and reserves protection mechanisms.

While the interim agreement demonstrates that agreement has been reached on a broad range of issues, final agreement is yet to be achieved on the critical issues of reserves and wood supply.

The agreement has involved assistance from the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, and the Tasmanian Deputy Premier, Bryan Green.

The signatories have advised the Australian and Tasmanian Governments of a detailed work program over the next 4-6 weeks before the consideration of the final legislation by the Tasmanian Parliament, including:

• The implementation of a voluntary industry restructure program;
• Ongoing detailed modelling and rescheduling work by Forestry Tasmania and independent experts; and
• The finalisation of additional outcomes on durability mechanisms and residues utilisation.

A final agreement to be negotiated at the conclusion of the identified work will include details of a guaranteed wood supply for industry and secure protection of native forests with important conservation values.

The assistance provided by the Ministers over the weekend and subsequently has provided a renewed impetus to the process and has led to the identification of a number of new pathways to achieve the final agreement.

The signatories wish to publicly express their sincere thanks to both Ministers for providing their time, insights and expertise to assist us in our deliberations.

There is still considerable detailed work and difficult negotiations to be undertaken if a final agreement is to be concluded. However, this interim agreement provides a substantive framework to guide that ongoing work.

The signatories are represented by:

• Jim Adams representing Timber Communities Australia Ltd
• Jane Calvert representing the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union
• Dr Hans Drielsma representing the Australian Forest Products Association
• Terry Edwards representing the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania
• Dr Phill Pullinger representing Environment Tasmania Inc
• Vica Bayley representing the Wilderness Society Tasmania Inc
• Lyndon Schneiders representing the Wilderness Society Inc
• Don Henry representing the Australian Conservation Foundation
• Ken Padgett representing the Australian Forest Contractors Association
• Fred Ralph representing the Tasmanian Sawmillers Association
• Ed Vincent representing the Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association