Joint media release
27 February 2013
A new socio-economic impacts study has found
the Tasmanian Forests Agreement would prevent
substantial job losses in Tasmania's forestry
industry.
Regional Australia Minister
Simon Crean and Federal Environment Minister
Tony Burke today released the study, which
shows more than 500 forestry jobs could
be saved if the forests peace deal is implemented.
At the University of
Tasmania today, Mr Crean said these jobs
are in addition to the thousands of jobs
created under the agreement's $120 million
economic diversification package.
"The number of
jobs in the Tasmanian forestry industry
halved between 2006 and 2011 in response
to market forces," Mr Crean said.
"The modelling
in this study predicts more of the same,
in the absence of the long-term, durable
solution to the forestry dispute offered
by the Tasmanian Forests Agreement.
"An estimated 678
direct jobs will go unless the agreement
is implemented. That compares with expected
job losses of 142 under a managed transition
to the wood supplies guaranteed in the historic
deal signed by the Reference Group of Signatories
last year."
Mr Burke said that after
decades of conflict the Gillard Government
is supporting the community-led Forests
Agreement to deliver a sustainable future
for Tasmania.
"This will be a
future with secure jobs and some great conservation
outcomes,'' Mr Burke said.
"Some of these
forests have been eligible for World Heritage
status for a generation. The bringing together
of the outcome for jobs provides a truly
historic conservation opportunity.
"There's no doubt
the industry is undergoing a painful transition
but this report shows there is a way of
limiting the fallout from market forces
by providing the certainty the forestry
industry needs.
"That is why the
Australian Government has committed $324
million to provide certainty for Tasmania's
forest industry, support local jobs and
communities, and to protect the state's
iconic forests.
"We stand ready
to provide significant funding to support
a lasting solution to Tasmania's forestry
dispute, including money to support industry
restructuring, support for workers and contractors,
and to encourage economic and industry diversification.
These opportunities will be lost if the
Legislative Council rejects the forestry
package."
Member for Lyons Dick
Adams said regional Tasmania, particularly
Southern regions, would be hit by significant
job losses if the forestry deal does not
go ahead.
"This report reveals
that passing the forestry agreement would
save nearly 300 jobs in Southern Tasmania,
more than 100 direct jobs in the North-West
and more than 130 in the North-East,"
Mr Adams said.
Mr Crean said the economic
diversification funding was already delivering
real benefits to regional Tasmania, with
the first $24 million tranche of those funds
invested in projects driven by communities
to diversify and strengthen the economy,
attracting investment, growth and jobs.
"We recently announced
the release of $3 million for urgent work
on residues and specialty timber and convened
the Economic Diversification Tasmania Taskforce
to bring business, union and community leaders
together to identify opportunities to unlock
future investments, create jobs and turn
Tasmania's abundant natural advantages into
a competitive edge," Mr Crean said.
"These opportunities
and the remaining $93 million will both
be lost if the Legislative Council fails
to pass the forestry package.
"The funding already
provided for ten projects under the economic
diversification stream has the potential
to generate up to 4,000 new jobs in areas
including dairy, aquaculture, viticulture,
soft fruits, tourism and agriculture sectors.
"Imagine what could
be achieved with an additional $93 million
injection of funds.
"The passage of
the agreement gives the forestry industry
the best chance to restructure, consolidate
and grow.
"The report highlights
the great growth opportunities through a
transition to new and engineered wood products.
With a relatively low capital investment
these products demonstrate potentially higher
value-add than those traditional timber
products.
"Failure to pass
the agreement will only ensure the continuing
decline of the industry. The cost of not
supporting the package is significantly
greater than the cost of passing the package.
"Tasmania has a
huge future but it can only unlock this
potential by reaching an agreement, allowing
for the transition to a long-term sustainable
forest products industry and a diversified
economy."
For a copy of the study,
go to http://www.environment.gov.au/land/forests/index.html
