TWS protest Liberal Forest Policy at Joe Hockey's Office

CONSERVATIONISTS SLAM HOWARD’S TASSIE FOREST PLAN

PROTESTORS TARGET JOE HOCKEY’S OFFICE

Conservationists dismayed by John Howard’s destructive Tasmanian forest policy today protested outside Joe Hockey’s office in North Sydney today to express their outrage. The protestors dumped a tonne of woodchips at the door of the current Minister for Small Business and Tourism. "The coalition yesterday sold out the hopes of all Australians committed to the protection of Tasmania’s world class old growth forests and wildlife and a viable tourism industry in Tasmania", said Francesca Andreoni, NSW Campaign Manager for The Wilderness Society. Mr. Howard’s package will protect a small portion of Tasmania’s iconic forests and leave the vast majority to the wood chippers and loggers.

"The Coalition's forest policy is nothing more than a logging plan with a conservation figleaf" said Francesca Andreoni.

"Mr Howard’s policy is misleading, and ensures the continued destruction of Tasmania’s magnificent old growth forests. Even the Tasmanian resources Minister today admitted that large areas the coalition is supposedly protecting were already protected anyway – and not currently at risk" she said.

"We want to let people know that a vote for the Coalition is a vote for woodchipping in Tasmania’s old growth forests. In contrast, the Greens and the Australian Labor Party have proposed a comprehensive package to protect our priceless old growth forests" she finished.

More information: Francesca Andreoni, The Wilderness Society 0419 266 950