Forest Agreement legislation tabled in Parliament

Implementation of the Tasmanian Forests Agreement has progressed a step closer, with the introduction of enabling legislation into the Tasmanian parliament.

The Tasmanian Forests Agreement Bill 2012 is framework legislation that can implement the agreement stakeholders are currently negotiating. 

Negotiations are progressing and have until July 23 to reach a final agreement that identifies forest conservation, industry restructure and community assistance and development outcomes. Once this agreement is reached, the new legislation will  provide a pathway for implementation.

Introduction of the legislation is a welcome step forward. The pathway it creates stipulates new reserves will be created under the Nature Conservation Act, delivering management responsibility to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife service on behalf of all Tasmanians. It also reduces the legislated supply of sawlogs by almost half.

Of importance is the fact that the legislation, and the Government’s approach to it, is flexible enough to adopt the outcomes of a negotiated agreement. This is critical as it will inevitably need to be fine-tuned to encompass the outcomes of a signatories agreement if reached.

SIgnatories to the agreement released a statement welcoming the tabling of the legislation.