The Premier, Lara Giddings, today slammed the Liberal Party for rank hypocrisy in questioning the State Government's support for contractors and businesses affected by the downturn in the forest industry.

Ms Giddings said it was a bit late for the Liberal Party to be lamenting the demise of Gunns Ltd when they repeatedly failed to support the company when it mattered most.

"This is the party that opposed the $23 million commercial settlement to Gunns," Ms Giddings said.

"And when Will Hodgman should have been meeting the Richard Chandler Corporation, he was instead hob-knobbing at the Launceston Cup.

"Unlike the Liberal Party, the Tasmanian Government has a plan to respond to changes in the forest industry.

"The Tasmanian Forests Agreement has already delivered $100 million in support for workers, Gunns contractors and affected regional communities.  This investment is building jobs and opportunities in Tasmania.

"Of course, every cent of this assistance has been opposed by the Liberal Party."

Ms Giddings said Will Hodgman fell flat on his face when challenged to outline his alternative forest policy this week.

"When asked what his party would do differently to respond to challenges in the industry, end conflict and secure new markets for Tasmanian timber products he said:

"…Frankly, sometimes you've just got to suck it up." *(ABC Mornings 09/10/12)

"That's Will Hodgman's advice to affected forest communities, that's his advice to Gunns creditors, that's his advice to timber workers: "suck it up."

"If ever we needed further confirmation that Will Hodgman's head in the sand approach to forestry would only compound the challenges in the industry that is it."