Tasmania: voters reject Gunns

The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
Media Release 31 March 2010

Several supporters of native-forest logging and Gunns' proposed pulp mill have failed to be elected in the recent Tasmanian election, signaling an end to old-style politics which put the interests of big businesses above those of the community and the environment, according to the Wilderness Society.

Forestry Minister David Llewellyn has lost his seat to newcomer Rebecca White, who campaigned on the slogan of 'renewal'. Daniel Hulme and Graeme Sturges, both vocal supporters of the logging industry and the pulp mill, also failed to be re-elected, and forestry union official Scott McLean was rejected by voters.

"The Tasmanian public has sent a strong message that they do not support old-style thinking when it comes to logging by rejecting high profile candidates who vocally advocate for the continuation of native-forest logging,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.

"Forestry Minister Llewellyn has been the most vocal supporter of native-forest logging policies and the pulp mill, but the loss of his seat shows that Tasmania is looking for a new approach to these issues.”

As Forestry Minister, Mr Llewellyn has administered policies that continued the controversial logging of native forests, including oldgrowth and rainforests. Meanwhile the logging industry has fallen into crisis, with job losses, massive levels of public subsidy, a rejection of Tasmanian forest products overseas and a general inability to keep up with changing world demands.

"Labor voters should be congratulated for demanding a new approach and rejecting old-style thinking.

"Newly elected politicians should embrace the public’s mood for change. Voters want to see their forests properly protected and the timber industry transformed into one which all Tasmanians can be proud of," concluded Mr Bayley.

see also GetUp campaign