Sustainable Forest Management
 

Mr GAFFNEY (Mersey) - Mr President, the sustainable management, or not, of our forests has long been a point of heated debate and strong emotion - often backed with active protest, unsubstantiated propaganda and virulent campaigning from all sides. I long for the day when peace might break out in this space but I am not holding my breath as the exponents on all sides seem to be entrenched in their bunkered positions. Dare I suggest that some seem to enjoy keeping their cauldron of anger at a steady simmer, ready to lob another fizzing grenade at their opponents.

An example of a calmer approach is where I have been contacted by Dr Darren Briggs, the spokesperson for a group of medical practitioners who are deeply concerned about the impact of native forest logging in Tasmania. This is on the back of the recent decisions by Western Australia and Victoria to end native forest logging in their states.

Dr Briggs brings to bear a number of salient points relating to the supply from plantation timbers. He also challenges the accuracy of the data surrounding the number of people employed in the industry, raises the negative impacts of current practice on tourism and highlights the potential ill effects on individual and community health.

Dr Briggs reinforces their concerns and the position of health practitioners on this with an extensive list of studies and references to support their statements.

On the other hand, we also have a sound opinion piece published in last week's Advocate from Nic Steel, the CEO of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, championing the forestry industry's vital role in supporting the construction of 10 000 new homes promised by the Government. Again, housing supply is an equally emotive subject with a definite community need demanding a government priority and focus.
There is also Private Forests Tasmania, highlighting how private landowners and farmers are better placed to manage the resource in private native regrowth forests. PFT has launched the 'Tree Alliance' as a suite of resources and industry partnerships that will enable farmers to consider timber as a viable crop, and hopefully restore the reputation of private forest schemes.

These three familiar examples have come to my attention only in the last week or so, and no doubt we all expect many more initiatives and information from all sides - and no doubt, all with a degree of emotive emphasis and selective statistics to try to sway public opinion to their view.
It is from this perspective and with some sense of hope I read in a recent email from MONA Kirsha Kaechele's considered thoughts on forestry. The email included a link to her latest blog on the MONA website that expands on her thinking in a uniquely refreshing style. I recommend it to you and would like to share her opening comments from the email.

In Tasmania, the 'F' word has a contentious, anguished history. Remember the bumper sticker 'Keep Warm This Winter: Burn a Greenie'? There's been some bad blood. So, waltzing into Tasmania in circa 2010, an innocent stranger, I noticed things were a little 'tense'. You could cut the air with a chainsaw. I decided to stay out of it - for a decade, just while things cooled off. But now I'm thinking - what happens if we take all the emotion out of it? (I'm of German descent.) What if we look at forestry through a purely economic lens? With my newfound passion for economics, I've decided to pose a question: what is the actual value of Tasmania's forests? And how can this value be translated into outcomes that work for the state as a whole, with longevity?
Mr President, this offers a perfect segue into something new and we all recognise MONA has been a constant source of innovation since its inception, and perhaps has been one of the main reasons for Hobart and Tasmania's economic and cultural revival.

In her blog, Kirsha expands on the opportunity to make a difference and discusses the rationale behind her convening the Forest Economics Congress: New A$$. Class. I have already given this to Hansard so as not to make another mistake. I do hope I have pronounced that correctly.

Mr President, this will be a three-day bespoke event hosted by MONA towards the end of November, with at carefully curated delegate list of 120 people. I am also reliably informed that it will be a politician-free event until it has come to its final conclusions.

I cannot say I blame the organisers in wanting to keep the event free from political manoeuvring and manipulation, as by and large successive governments from all sides have failed to resolve the many forestry harvesting and timber production issues and challenges to any satisfactory degree.

A calmer, more objective, coordinated, accurate and comprehensive approach may indeed assist in determining better, contemporary and sustainable strategies with greater future community acceptance. As such, I am genuinely excited by the potential of the congress to make a real difference - a true catalyst for a fresh start and better policy. I see great value in the process and look forward to what the organisers can share with the community, industries, policymakers and politicians.

Indeed, there are many good people in Tasmania, from many backgrounds and working in many sectors, all wanting, hoping and working towards a better and more cohesive Tasmania.

We might all want to keep an eye out for the congress outcomes. I wish every participant the very best in their deliberations and to helping to resolve this ongoing divide in our community and strengthen our social and economic future.