Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, and Tasmanian Minister for Resources, Paul Harriss, today welcomed the Independent Reviewer’s report to the Australian and Tasmanian Governments on the third five-yearly review of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement.
The report, by Independent Reviewer Dr Glen Kile, was tabled in the Senate this morning.
Dr Kile found that the great majority of commitments by both Governments under the RFA and subsequent reviews had been met, and there were no serious non-compliances. He made 16 recommendations for consideration by both Governments in the extension of the RFA.
Senator Ruston said the Independent Review was an important step in both Governments’ commitment to a rolling 20-year extension of the RFA to provide resource security and a stable investment environment to the Tasmanian forest industry.
“Dr Kile is an outstanding scientist and former head of the CSIRO Division of Forestry. His report confirms that the RFA provides a sound framework for the sustainable management of Tasmania’s forests and will inform negotiations on the extension,” Senator Ruston said.
Mr Harriss said both Governments were committed to achieving a balance of economic, environmental and social outcomes for Tasmania through the RFA.
“Dr Kile’s Report shows we are on track,” Mr Harris said.
The Tasmanian RFA is due to expire in 2017 and will be replaced by a rolling 20-year extension.
The third five-yearly review was due in 2012, but was delayed by previous Governments in Hobart and Canberra.
The Independent Reviewer’s report is available at www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa/regions/tasmania/tas-rfa-third-five-yearly-review