House debates

Thursday, 28 November 2019

Statements by Members

Victoria: Forestry Industry

1:53 pm

Photo of Tony PasinTony Pasin (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

One of the great privileges I have in this place is to co-convene the parliamentary friends of forestry group; I do that with the member for Hunter. He gave me a hug last night; we do that a couple of times a year, just to show the bipartisanship on forestry that we have in this place. We've taken forestry off the battleground, and we're doing this together.

I've got to say: the Australian Forest Products Association gave Labor a better report card than our party in the lead-up to the last election—something that I congratulated Joel on last night. But it's time for the member for Hunter to stand up, pick up the phone and talk to Dan Andrews in Victoria, because Mr Andrews is not taking a bipartisan approach to the ultimate renewable industry. This is the ultimate renewable. Those opposite, in their party, pontificate about how they stand up for the environment and stand up for jobs. Well, here's an opportunity to do both. Pick up the phone, talk to the Premier of Victoria and say, 'This decision is completely ludicrous.' Not only will it cost jobs in the forestry industry; it will also hurt the environment. This industry is the ultimate renewable. They are carbon sinks, these trees. Victoria takes four trees out of every 10,000. Those opposite are prepared to cost jobs on something like that. It is a disgrace. Pick up the phone, member for Hunter, and get it right!

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