The Liberal's latest forestry stunt has shown the Party is more interested in promoting division and uncertainty than they are in supporting the industry, the Deputy Premier Bryan Green said today.

 

Mr Green said the Liberal Party appeared hellbent on ignoring the need to support the industry through difficult times.

 

"We've said time and time again that the money set aside for Forestry Tasmania is a contingency to help the organisation through the current downturn," he said.

 

"It's about supporting Forestry Tasmania and its workers, not shutting them down.

 

"But the Liberal Party don't want to hear that - they just want continued division and continued conflict."

 

Mr Green said the Government had not yet received the final report into Forestry Tasmania from URS.

 

"We expect to receive this report in the near future, and we have committed to releasing it publically, along with our response," he said.

 

"We will make decisions based on the evidence, not on the Tasmanian Liberal Party's dog-whistle politics."

 

Mr Green said the Liberal Party had no credible plan for the forestry sector.

 

"Under the Liberal Party's divisive, do-nothing approach, workers would receive no support," he said.

 

"The Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement has already provided support of around $100 million to the industry, workers and regional communities to assist with the restructuring of the industry.

 

"This would not have happened under the Tasmanian Liberals.

 

"We see the Intergovernmental Agreement as the best way forward to end the conflict and give security for the forest industry into the future.

 

"In contrast, we've seen no credible alternative from the Liberal Party, who are just ignoring reality.

 

"I would urge the Liberals to start working with the industry, unions and the ENGOs who all acknowledge there's a problem and want to do something about it."