A bold new proposal has been put forward by the Greens to end Tasmanian native forest logging while creating thousands of new jobs in conservation and eco-tourism.
The Greens say their comprehensive $3.98 billion plan to phase out native timber harvesting in the island state over 20 years would be funded by increasing taxes on corporations and billionaires.
The proposal would see Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement repealed and the logging industry’s exemption from national environmental laws removed.
Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the state could lead the way in climate action and forest protection.
“Our forests are a global treasure. They store carbon, protect wildlife and inspire wonder. They should be protected for future generations,” McKim said.
“During global biodiversity and climate crises, Tasmania can lead the way in climate action and forest protection. We’ve got the people, the science and the opportunity to build a future based on restoration and care, not destruction.”
The plan promises to create 3,579 new jobs in forest restoration, conservation, firefighting, education and sustainable tourism.
The say these new jobs significantly outweigh the approximately 290 positions currently in native forest logging.
It also includes $50 million to establish new National Parks across Tasmania, drawn from the Greens’ proposed $5 billion Protected Areas Fund.
Tasmania remains one of just two Australian states still permitting widespread native forest logging.
“With political courage and public investment, we can support those workers and create thousands more good, meaningful jobs that actually heal the land,” McKim said.
Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, has previously said that Tasmania’s forestry industry “provides an exceedingly high degree of environmental protection and sustainability”.
“We are blessed in Tasmania to have a sustainable, word-class native forestry sector that puts food on the table for thousands of families,” he said in January.
