Additional comments

1.1 While I agreed with the Committee's report and recommendations I have additional comments to make in relation to the forest practices operating in Tasmania.

1.2 I believe that for the plantation industry to be viable and sustainable it needs to be committed to social, economic and environmental principals and practiced in an accountable and transparent manner. This has not been evidenced in the operation of the forestry industry in Tasmania in its pursuit of contractual commitments by low yield clearing old growth forests.

1.3 The long term future of the industry in Tasmania will depend on attempts to avoid the mistakes made over the last 100 years throughout Australia which has seen the onslaught of dryland salinity by a blind policy of land clearing and the over commitment of rivers. To ensure that future generations do not look back and regret the destruction of Tasmania's heritage and related long term tourism prospects, I am of the view that high value old growth forest clearing needs to cease immediately.

Bill Heffernan - Senator for New South Wales