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

As the Australian Greens know, within Australia we have generic studies that tell us what the facts are. You can then ask the question: what if we harvest this particular block; have you done a specific study on this particular block? Chances are that we have not. But we inform ourselves of all the body of science that is out there that tells us how good forestry is for the environment. Not only does it clean up the atmosphere; it provides a renewable resource that is recyclable and, at the end, biodegradable.

If we do not use wood products, we use plastic and we use aluminium. That is why certain companies stand on the sidelines cheering the Australian Greens when they denigrate the forest industry. It is because they know it is good for the petrochemical industry and the carbon polluting industries of this world when people such as the Australian Greens so perversely oppose forestry. We have done numerous studies indicating the environmental benefits of forestry right throughout Australia. We can play the funny games of asking, ‘Have you done it in this block or that block?’ The simple fact is that we know that forestry is good for the environment and is good for the economy. What is more, it provides a genuine renewable resource and genuine jobs. (Time expired)