Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The object of the exit package was to help manage overcapacity in the forest-harvesting and haulage sector as the industry in Tasmania repositions itself. The guarantees were required to cease business operations in the Tasmanian sector for a minimum period of five years. Grantees were not excluded from being able to operate outside of Tasmania. I think that is an important point for the package and for the Tasmanian oversupply that was occurring.

There are, as we know, ongoing negotiations and discussions around the Tasmanian forest statement of principles, the forest agreement line item that you are referring to, which was signed by the Tasmanian forestry industry bodies and conservation groups. (Time expired)