Greens warn ‘tens of thousands’ ready to defend forests against logging

GREENS leaders past and present are warning the State Government “tens of thousands” of Tasmanians are willing to protest in the forests if contested areas are opened up to logging.

Greens leaders past and present, from left, Peg Putt, Bob Brown, Cassy O'Connor, Nick McKim and Christine Milne met environmentalists to discuss the proposed changes to forestry. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

GREENS leaders past and present are warning the State Government “tens of thousands” of Tasmanians are willing to protest in the forests if contested areas are opened up to logging.

Former federal leaders Bob Brown and Christine Milne, former state leader Peg Putt, current state leader Cassy O’Connor and Senator Nick McKim delivered their message through a joint press conference this morning, together with members of major environmental groups.

The State Government has announced it will open 400,000ha of forest to logging in 2018 because Forestry Tasmania is unable to make enough money logging the trees it can currently access.

MORE: GOVERNMENT SIGNALS PLAN FOR LOGGING IN FORMER RESERVES

The areas includes forests on Bruny Island, in Wielangta, the Blue Tier and the Tarkine.

The areas were set aside under the former forest peace deal for potential future reserves.

Ms O’Connor said the Greens and the environmental movement were “absolutely united” in their opposition to the Liberals’ plan to open the areas to logging.

“They have issued a threat to log some of the most beautiful, old forests on the planet. We stand ready to defend those forests,” she said.

“It would divide us socially, rob us economically and do enormous environmental damage, the Premier has a choice, we are saying they need to back off.”

MORE: $67M LOSS REINFORCES NEED FOR NEW LOGGING AREAS: BARNETT

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the Liberals made no apology for supporting the forest industry and rejecting the terms of the former peace deal.

“We are at a critical stage and the government has made the important decision to bring forward the availability of the wood bank. This will save in the order of 700 jobs,” he said.

“The only people talking about forest wars are the Greens. There are no fights being picked here.”

Originally published as Greens warn ‘tens of thousands’ ready to defend forests against logging