The Minister for Energy and Resources Bryan Green said tonight's forestry debate was an opportunity for the facts to be put on the table over the challenges facing the industry.

 

Mr Green said he welcomed the chance to put the true position of the issues confronting the forest sector.

 

"The cheap one liners and political rhetoric of the Liberals won't cut it when it comes to the crunch at tonight's debate," Mr Green said.

 

"The Tasmanian Liberals are still in denial over what is the worst downturn we have seen in our forest industry."

 

"The Liberals cannot escape the facts."

 

"The difference between the Government and the Opposition is clear; we acknowledge the problem and want to do something about it, the Liberals refuse to accept the reality and have no answers."

 

"The Liberals want people to believe the market downturn and jobs losses have been caused by the Tasmanian Forest Agreement which is simply not true."

 

"The TFA has not cost a single job but has delivered more than $100 million to support and assistance forest contractors, workers and regional communities through this extremely difficult period," Mr Green said.