The Greens are demonstrating again today that their primary purpose remains the wholesale destruction of the Tasmanian native forest industry.
Through Cassy O’Connor in Parliament and Peg Putt outside, the Greens are opposing biomass when they should be welcoming new investment in renewable energy.
The number one priority of the Hodgman Liberal Government is jobs, and so we make no apology for supporting our forest industry and for being open to new opportunities.
Biomass is an established industry in Europe, where it is regarded as a form of renewable, sustainable energy.
Sustainably managed, productive forests are increasingly being seen as part of the answer to climate change, but the Tasmanian Greens have never moved from their ideological opposition to any and all forestry activities.
After thousands of jobs were lost under the previous Labor-Green government’s disastrous forest deal, the industry is responding to the pro-growth policies of the Liberal Government.
Our new Wood and Fibre Processing Innovation Program will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support the development of projects that use wood residues and/or agricultural plant residues to create value-added products and more jobs.
Applications close this Friday, 26 August, and I look forward to announcing successful recipients in the near future.