PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER 31/ 95
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
TASMANIA AND THE NATIONAL FOREST POLICY STATEMENT
I welcome the signing by Tasmania of the National Forest Policy Statement. The
signing means that the Statement is now truly national, with all States and
Territories party to it.
The Federal Government and the Tasmanian Government are now in a position to
work together to provide a long term future for an ecologically sustainable timber
industry and to put into place a system of comprehensive, adequate and
representative reserves to protect Tasmania's unique forests.
The Commonwealth and the Tasmanian Government have also signed a Statement
of Intent on forest management. This will enable an early start to be made on the
environmental, heritage, social and economic studies necessary for the
development of a Regional Forest Agreement ( RFA).
Importantly, it also guarantees protection of extensive areas of high conservation
value forest, pending the development of the RFA.
Subject to the outcome of the Commonwealth's statutory processes, Tasmania and
the Commonwealth have agreed to a rescheduling plan. This will maintain
employment in the industry, by shifting logging activities to coupes of lower
conservation value than those on the Commonwealth's interim protection list.
Tasmania has agreed to protect all areas on the interim protection list and the
Commonwealth will provide bridging assistance to Tasmania for road expenses
resulting from the rescheduling.
These agreements are sound outcomes for both Governments, and for the
environment and the industry.
( Note: The NFPS was signed by the Commonwealth and the other States and
erritories at COAG in Perth in December 1992).
CANBERRA 12 APRIL, 1995