MINORITY REPORT
by Senators Forshaw, O'Brien and Murphy
Regional Forest Agreements Bill 1998
The Opposition Senators on the Committee do not concur with all the conclusions and recommendations
in the Committee's report on the Bill.
Opposition Senators intend presenting a detailed minority report to the Senate on the Bill which will
address the following issues
a) the adequacy of the current mechanisms to allow the Parliament to address and review
the adequacy of future Regional Forest Agreements (RFA's)
b) the need to ensure that any removal or exemption of RFA areas from the protection of
current Commonwealth environmental and heritage legislation by the Bill only occur with
proper regard to the quality and protection afforded by individual RFAs
c) the need for the Bill and RFA's to comply with the principles and commitments of the
National Forest Policy Statement and the Wood and Paper Industry Strategy
Dated 25 February 1999
Senator M Forshaw
Senator K O'Brien
Senator S Murphy