Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

He did, and he was quoted in the Australian newspaper. Mr Adams, the Labor member for Lyons, said the Labor senators were asleep. We had the third excuse delivered by none other than Senator Kerry O’Brien on ABC radio this morning, saying it was a deliberate tactic. That was very smart. And look—he is nodding in agreement. I invite the Labor Party members from Tasmania to caucus and decide whether it was a stuff-up, whether they were asleep or whether in fact it was a deliberate tactic. The people of Tasmania have now seen why the Labor Party took its silly policy to the Tasmanian and Australian people at the last election. It was because they have no idea what they are doing on forestry. Mr Albanese’s and Mr Martin Ferguson’s views on forestry are diametrically opposed. That is why the Labor Party are flip-flopping over forestry.

We on this side are absolutely clear. Our statement announced at Albert Hall remains very strong; we are committed to it. Mr President, I am told that the electorate that you and I reside in may well have a by-election shortly. If that is the case, I say to the timber rich area of Franklin that they should vote for us for one simple reason, because we are the only party truly committed to the timber communities and to the timber workers of this country.