I read with some amusement news that the Wilderness Society and other green groups have decided to walk away from the Tasmanian Forests Agreement (TFA). 

Given the TFA itself was torn up by the incoming Liberal government in 2014 (and replaced by legislation), this announcement smacks of political opportunism ahead of next year’s federal election, and a desperate attempt to wrest some donations away from the more radical Bob Brown Foundation. 

However, the statement from the Wilderness Society that protest action could begin again is more concerning.  

Apart from the fact the illegal and misplaced protests have never stopped in the years since the TFA was abandoned,  it would be prudent for those planning protest action over the coming months to better utilise their time lobbying in the halls of State Parliament, where the legislation that replaced the TFA sits, rather than illegally interrupting our forestry businesses and the thousands of Tasmanians whose jobs rely on our sustainable timber industry. 

Given both major parties support our responsible, respected and renewable industry, I think the Wilderness Society may have a long road ahead of them. Perhaps the current deputy leader of the Greens, himself a signatory supporting the original TFA, could offer them some advice. 

Nick Steel  
Tasmanian Forest Products Association