Bob Gordon: FT is solvent. Burnie wharf: Specialty timbers wasted; the challenge to Bryan Green
Bob Gordon, Managing Director Forestry, Tasmania
26.05.12 5:46 am
Unfortunately this prudent approach by State Treasury has been seized upon by the Tasmanian Greens to falsely claim that FT has been trading insolvent. Despite the tough times we and others are currently enduring, FT is solvent and continues to meet its obligations as they fall due. In fact cash flows for the next 12 months are fine and it is unlikely that FT in its current form will need to draw down any of the funds set aside by Treasury. The positive to come from this unfortunate debate is that both major political parties understand that if the forest industry is to rebuild, a strong robust FT is essential.
• Keep up-to-date with the range of breaking stories and opinions on this story by using the Tasmanian Times’ NEWS Dropdown (top nav bar).
• Related: Logging end spells trouble for Bruny roads
• Kim Booth: Specialty timbers wasted: “If that was even remotely true, why on earth are Forestry Tasmania continuing to slaughter massive quantities of minor species timbers, including blackwood, and exporting them as pulp wood or low grade peeler?” “Tasmania’s timber barons are being allowed to falsely claim that the only future is to publicly fund a woodchip mill and port to chip these logs for exports, rather than providing them to small country sawmills to provide craft, furniture and boat building timbers into the future,” Mr Booth said. “I am calling on the Minister to allow access to just a few of these logs by an independent small country sawmill, to prove once and for all that Forestry Tasmania has been woodchipping high quality logs for years ...”
• George Harris aka Woodworker, in Comments: If FT wanted lots of money for it, (which it always does), it could have easily sent it through its log tenders at Island Specialty Timbers, or just put it up for retail sale. But really, it knows what the value of this stuff in the market place is, and with the export peeler market, it is at least making sales. I have no doubt some bogan boofhead from Bass could find some friendly fellow-travellers who like to have a grizzle, and between them they could construct a story, but really, if anyone wants any such material, I know FT would be falling over themselves to provide it. Just show up, and have some money in your pockets, or a cheque that won’t bounce, and a suitable vehicle to carry some away.
• Pete Godfrey, in Comments: George, the big question is why are FT cutting down small logs of special species timbers? They may be small now but they are a long way ahead of what will be growing on the coupes that they were cut from. There are many other uses for special species timbers other than fine furniture and woodturning. Such as Flooring and Lining. These logs would be very useful for that purpose. Unfortunately the sawmills have been totally spoilt as far as log quality goes for too long. They don’t appear to want to bother cutting around a bit of rot or checking, instead wood with beautiful grains is just chipped or sent overseas to be peeled.
• Karl, in Comments: I urge readers to look at Bob Gordon’s Branchline chapter headed ‘Triabunna’ above. In it he likens Forestry Tasmania’s activities to those of a ‘butcher’. (no I’m not joking) Most of the slaughtering and dismembering of the ‘beast’ takes place in the forest it seems. The ‘prime cuts’ are the high grade logs and the ‘mince’ is the pulp wood. This is unbelievable on a lot of different levels. There is no doubt Gordon and crew are butchering our forests and slaughtering our future.
• Frank Strie, in Comments: Bob would not be working in my company, he showed his expertise to me a couple of decades ago, well before the RFA, the Pine Plantation sales, well before the man-made social disaster for Scottsdale, Smithton and Geeveston deepened. It was (and still is) the blind and ignorant political support that aided the likes of Rolley, Gordon and Drielsma. Just look who sits again on the IGA round table. Talk about ‘Stockholm Syndrome’,… plenty to improve but it is the choice of society to set the direction. Hello Pete #23, The way these different tree species are presented to the customers demonstrates again what quality management is not about. Imagine you received undifferentiated mix of tree species, sizes and qualities, split logs next to twisted and knotty and spindly logs - all mixed together . As a business operator, the commercial risk and costs are rather high or at least unknown. Consequently the price on offer will be very low or as we see in our time not at all.
• Robin Halton, in Comments: #21 George I note your comments re the BWDs in the stockpile photo, it should not happen, below sawlog standard the logs should be offered as craftwood but not as pulp. The public including myself are sensitive for good reasons as support for the best outcome forest industry. I am not whinging but the photo spoils my day. In the past I have personally overseen too many good headlogs of both BWD and CTP left in the bush as select grade timber cannot be sawn from the remaining sections. Logs of BWD and CTP showing faults, occuluded limbs also gives the sawn timber a distinct rustic character when sawn for furniture or freeform craft. Millers with Special Species harvesting rights need to make the best of it as the cutting of select grade timber wont last forever.
• Russell, in Comments: Mr Gordon’s use of such language reminds of another thread on TT. The one that talked about the use of language in war and the dehumanizing descriptors of the enemy as vermin, rubbish, insects and the like. Clearly his mindset is that the natural bush is the enemy which must be vanquished and destroyed. Does he use this language to gee up his acolytes and employees? Is it used in his pep talks to the troops before they go out for the slaughter. No respect whatsoever. Ignorati.
• The Age, Saturday: The way Tasmanian forestry might have been ...?
Nigel Burch. Pic: of Nigel Burch
26.05.12 3:00 am
My friends, family and I have directly experienced the con that is the so-called skills shortage. A large WA mining company advertises for labour for example – but specifies that they want people who are qualified and experienced. That means that they can reject most of us for these high-paid jobs. Even when we have the qualifications, we don’t have and can’t get mining experience. Then the big companies go to the government, complain about a “skills shortage” and get 457 visas to bring in foreign workers. But the foreign workers don’t have suitable qualifications and aren’t experienced! The companies give them minimal training and pay them less. Herein lies the key – their cost of labour falls.
• Herald Sun: Our richest woman, Gina Rinehart, accused of betraying Australians by importing foreign workers
•* Adele Ferguson, SMH: Rinehart world’s richest woman: BRW
The TCCI’s latest move into the red
Greens Alderman Helen Burnet, Hobart City Council. Pic: of Helen Burnet
26.05.12 2:05 am
The Property Council is spearheading Tasmanians for Reform, a campaign for council amalgamations. HCC has taken the position that the Property Council approach would not deliver anywhere near the savings and benefits they estimate. My reading of their Deloitte report, often quoted by CEO Mary Massina, suggests savings may be possible with amalgamations, but the figures often quoted are at the maximum end of the scale, which distorts the picture and in my opinion weakens the important debate Tasmania should have. Other annual subscriptions of public funds to what are essentially lobby groups should be considered, and it is my strong desire to create some distance from those organisations.
Umpire must decide rate of pay for MPs. CPSU fears
The President of the Legislative Council, Sue Smith, MR. Pic: of Sue Smith. CPSU MR
25.05.12 3:36 am
The President of the Legislative Council, Sue Smith has reacted angrily to suggestions by the State Government that the State’s house of review is to blame for the mess created over politicians’ pay rates. Ms Smith said at a time when people were losing jobs and the economic prospects for Tasmania were looking grim, to play politics with the emotive issue of politicians pay rates was appalling. I raised the issue of politicians’ pay rates with Premier Lara Giddings in February last year and yet the Government chose to do nothing until the last minute ...
• Paul Blake, CPSU: The Federal Government’s own figures betray the uncomfortable truth that Tasmanians are, yet again, being short-changed when comes to a fair share of essential public services ... with over two thirds of all federal public sector positions located outside of Canberra, the proposal for an extra, across the board funding cut of 4 per cent for the coming year – the so-called extra efficiency dividend - would bite deep in Tasmania. “Many federal public sector workers have contacted CPSU concerned about an alarming decline in quality – both in terms of services and jobs – as these funding cuts start to wash through from the mainland, into our local communities,”
The emperor has no clothes ...
Jan Davis' Tasmanian Country column today. ABC pic of Jan Davis. MR
25.05.12 2:45 am
ABC pic
According to the Centre for Independent Studies, the answer is economic geography. In lay terms, that means doing what you are good at, doing what your geography and climate are suited to, doing what the population is comfortable with and is qualified to do. In Tasmania, our obvious advantages are in agriculture – and forestry.
• Valleywatcher, in Comments: I agree with Jan Davis that here in Tasmania we are good at agriculture…...but we could be so much better. But forestry? Can’t agree there Jan - if we were so good at it we would have a vibrant, sustainable industry standing on it’s own two feet - not the basket-case industry reliant on a drip-feed of taxpayer handouts that we are currently lumbered with. I have no doubt that the industry could be an exemplar of how a sustainable forestry industry could be run, but unfortunately the Bob Gordons etc. of this world won’t listen to the very people who have good ideas and knowledge of how to implement it - they would rather stick to the failed models of the past, rather than embrace a new paradigm from a world moved on ... a world that no longer wants their product. How long will it take before the penny drops?
• Tasmanian farmers accuse governments of letting down exporters
John Lawrence
24.05.12 5:00 am
ABC pics of Lara Giddings and Will Hodgman
It seems the Government has set its plan which will last for a couple of years; we will assume a form of suspended animation treading water hoping for the truckload of GST receipts. The Government has baulked at further rationalisation, preferring instead to resort to rosary beads and prayer mats … The Editor was hoping for a follow up article titled ‘Will Rides to the Rescue’ commenting on the Liberals’ alternative Budget. A quick look at the plan found this ...
Media Releases ...
Cassy O’Connor, Nick McKim, ABC pic
• Nick McKim,Tuesday: What the Greens are doing; The Greens’ Budget reply speech ...
• Cassy O’Connor, Wednesday: Libs’ plan to wind back environmental protection
• Nick McKim, Thursday: The ... proposal for a TASMANIAN WELLBEING INDEX was an innovative new economic approach that placed the quality of life of citizens at the top of the Government’s priorities.
• Cassy O’Connor, Thursday: “Perennial calls for a CABLE CAR to the mountain’s summit, apart from being unlawful under the Wellington Park Management Plan, are simply economically unfeasible. No proper proposal has been sighted in the decades since the CABLE CAR debate started,” said Ms O’Connor. “A cable car would look terrible, it would show disrespect for the mountain, its history, its traditional owners and those Tasmanians who want their wilderness areas protected.”
Mainstream Media ...
• Poor report card for public servants; Zoe Edwards, ABC Online: A review of Tasmania’s public service has found widespread concern about the way it is run.
career public servant, in Comments: “Poor report card for public servants” - put a broom through management of the Tasmanian public service; in fact, take a scythe to it. Cuts to the public service usually mean management kicking the workers who are working harder than ever, as expectations increase and support decreases. For instance, the Tasmanian Polytechnic had over 50 middle managers earlier this year compared to 6 for a similar sized TAFE in Queensland.
Wilful blindness and the new forest industry. Booth: Broke FT puts its hand out, again ...
John Lawrence
24.05.12 3:48 am
Deputy Premier and Forests Minister Bryan Green. Image: http://designbuildsource.com.au/tasmania-biggest-planning-reforms-ever-booed
Yet Mr Green proposes to give the company an amount equal to its revenue, to help meet changes in circumstances, most relating to circumstances which every other business has had to face without Government assistance or which wilful blindness prevented the Government and FT from seeing when it was obvious to everyone with an enquiring mind. The failure to factor in a decline in native forest woodchipping was an act of wilful blindness. As was overlooking the fact that MISs were a bubble waiting to explode. How could such a sham last forever?
Pete Godfrey, in Comments: John you are fortunate that you manage to eke out an existence without the benefit of government largesse. If you were to seek a job in the public service in Tasmania I am sure you would be found to be an unsuitable applicant. Once again Sir John it is wonderful to have you on the side of clear thinking honest people. I do wonder a lot about the possibility of incriminating photos lying in the bottom of the industry’s drawers. It is hard to figure any other reason that this one industry is the recipient of so many favours.
• Gunns to face sawmill battle, 22 May, 2012 09:28 AM: Gunns boss Greg L’Estrange has a fight on his hands, with the timber company being pursued in the Supreme Court of Victoria by the buyer of its Heyfield sawmill, Hermal Group.
• What Gunns told the ASX: The Company notes media commentary today in respect of the sale of its Heyfield sawmill. The Company has executed a contract for the sale of the mill. The Company is in dispute with the purchaser in respect of one aspect of the sale contract. Specifically this relates to adequate assurance being required by the Company that a component of the purchase consideration will be paid in full when due. The matter is before the Supreme Court of Victoria today. The Company expects the sale to complete when this matter is resolved.
• Kim Booth: Insolvency cloud hangs over Forestry Tas: Who is Responsible? The Minister or the Board? The Tasmanian Greens today said that the $110 million ‘contingency fund’ set up by the Treasurer, Lara Giddings MP, in the Budget, was proof that Forestry Tasmania was broke, and raised serious questions about Ministerial oversight and compliance with the Government Business Enterprise Act 1995 which specifically provides for notification if a GBE is about to become insolvent.
• Kim Booth: Greens Forestry spokesperson Kim Booth MP today called on the Resources Minister, Bryan Green MP, to rule out giving in to Forestry Tasmania’s demand for a new, taxpayer funded export woodchip facility in southern Tasmania. “Bob Gordon has concocted this elaborate sob-story that all of Forestry Tasmania’s problems are somehow everybody else’s fault, and that the closure of Triabunna is what’s created all their problems,” Mr Booth said. “Once again they have their hand out … “The Greens share the community outrage over the prospect of more taxpayer millions going into the Forestry Tasmania black hole, chasing bad money with good.” “We are clear that this money must be to wind up, not prop up, Forestry Tasmania, and must not be expended until the current URS Strategic Review is completed” said Mr Booth.
Kim Booth MP Greens Spokesperson for Primary Industries MR
24.05.12 2:56 am
The Tasmanian Greens today said that vegetable processor McCain had abandoned Tasmanian potato growers by forcing them into a race to the bottom through individual contract negotiations.
Kerry Finch MLC
23.05.12 3:30 am
The fact is that while the national unemployment rate continues to drop, Tasmania’s continues to rise. And as we have all heard, the State Government’s income from GST will be $14 million less than forecast for the coming year and will be down by $500 million over the next four years. A gloomy background for a budget indeed MADAM PRESIDENT. But I am not gloomy, and the reason is a recent tour of the electorate of Rosevears where I saw some outstanding initiatives.
• Glennis, in Comments: It seems that Kerry Finch is the only true independent of the MLC’s and he has taken the trouble to tour the Tamar Valley and find out just how many people are employed in the many businesses there. We have been banging on for years about this and Kerry actually presented a petition against that stinky mill to the house. It contained 22,000 signatures and as far as I know the MLC’s consigned it to the bin! Well done Kerry. Just hope that the ‘brain dead’ in the house managed to find a few brain cells to understand what you were saying in this speech.
Peter Henning
23.05.12 3:01 am
And the people watch ... the public gallery in the House of Assembly, State Parliament
Excluding the social imperatives is an automatic response for all political parties in Tasmania, whether knee jerk or not. They’re so brainwashed by the prevailing neo-liberal orthodoxies, even in the face of the stark evidence of its hypocrisies and its disastrous social consequences, that they don’t even have the sense to see how, for example, that cynical approach has just wrecked the mainstream political party system in Greece, as well as creating social carnage. They don’t have a Keynesian bone in their craniums. Just a gut instinct for political survival.
So we come full circle. But the circle is not inclusive ...
Book sales have fallen off a cliff: What next for the Australian publishing industry?
Tim Coronel, Island Magazine
23.05.12 1:24 am
Tim Coronel is a publishing industry insider who has been involved in the book industry for over 20 years – from behind the counter at suburban chain and specialist bookstores to becoming publisher at Thorpe-Bowker’s book-industry trade magazine Bookseller+Publisher and overseeing the publication of the University of Melbourne Book Industry Study in 2009. Here he discusses the current state of the Australian book trade and what the future might hold.
Visit Island Magazine HERE: or get the latest edition from a bookshop or newsagent!
Wilkie backs watered-down pokies bill
Andrew Wilkie MP Independent Member for Denison MR. ABC Pic
22.05.12 5:31 am
Frankly the Bill’s a disappointing watering down of the deep poker machine reform agreed to with the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, after the 2010 federal election. But it’s the best thing on the table right now and a step in the right direction so I will support it.
Greens/Labor tie is meaningless
Dr Kevin Bonham
21.05.12 5:16 am
There’s not been that much reaction to this poll so far – predictable noises from the Liberals and the Greens, and no sign so far of the habitually too-cute spin releases from the Premier’s office. Among media commentaries, David Killick says the Libs have failed to “capitalise on the continued unpopularity of the State Government”. There’s something in that actually, although not for the reasons he advances …
Editors
21.05.12 4:59 am
• Keep up-to-date with the range of breaking stories and opinions on today’s statement to Parliament by embattled MP Craig Thomson by using the Tasmanian Times’ NEWS Dropdown (top nav bar). Post your comments and appropriate links (full URLs) to news stories/opinion you applaud in Comments below. On TT NEWS gives you the Australian and World Google news-wrap. Breaking News in the Dropdown the latest in your area’s browser. And use the Dropdown to keep abreast of the daily breaking stories from around the world …
• What Andrew Wilkie says ... What the Parliament should now focus on is restoring the trust and respect of the Australian community. Yes, there is widespread and understandable concern with the controversy surrounding Craig Thomson. But there’s much more concern with all the grand political game-playing going on right now. And there’s much greater interest in the Government getting on and running the country well, and in the Opposition showing it’s a credible alternative.
• Wilkie won’t back Oakeshott censure motion
• Cameron, in Comments: None of this would be an issue if Gillard governed in majority. That aside, at what point will the Liberal Party decide they’ve gone too far? Labor Senator Nick Sherry tragically attempted suicide after being caught up in a scandal involving, if memory serves, some travel expenses. There are many signs, including clear displays of emotion during his address to parliament the other day, that Craig Thomson is at breaking point. So one has to wonder if they’ll be able to wash his blood off their hands, Heaven forbid it should come to that. Is this REALLY the only tactic the Coalition have to attack the government? Just how desperate are they, if this is the best they can do?
Confirmed: Tasmania dudded over RHH funding deal
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health Spokesperson MR
21.05.12 4:58 am
The Tasmanian Greens said that the Premier Lara Giddings had confirmed that Tasmania had been dudded over the $340 million Royal Hobart Hospital Wilkie-Gillard deal, which had been sold to Tasmanians on numerous occasions as “new money.”
The Yellow Silt Road ... oops Waterfall
John Powell
21.05.12 4:50 am
As a result of the above absolute facts, the consultant JP advised Lara that the only possible economic outcome she could pursue was the development of a new tourist attraction - the Yellow Falls of Liffey. This would likely attract substantive overseas interest and remove entirely the debt burden constraints of the Government being imposed by the ongoing activities of the Nome King.
Clean water demands changed forestry practices
Max Bound, Dr David Obendorf
21.05.12 4:44 am
Forestry Tasmania’s Eucalyptus nitens pruning/thinning trial at Goulds Country, NE Tasmania: here
The confusion over what should, or should not, be included in forest agreements has not changed in two decades. The dialogue has been controlled and wrong-headed; the present conflict involves a complete oversight of reality leading to a constant loss of public money and resources. Sanity and reason need to be restored to the forestry debate. Dependence on chemically-dependent monoculture plantations is a serious mistake.
The Science Show, Broadcast: Saturday 19, Presenter: Robyn Williams. Producer: David Fisher
21.05.12 4:31 am
During 2011, globally, $40 billion was invested in fossil fuels. $260 billion was invested in renewables. In the past year the price of photo voltaic cells has dropped by 50%. Peter Newman describes the growth of investment in renewable as exponential. He says we are living through one of the most dramatic periods in history as fossil fuels are being phased out.
Chronicle 66: That naughty Michael West
Don Knowler
21.05.12 3:57 am
Donald Knowler continues his series on the glory days of newspapers and the characters who inhabited newsrooms of the past. Knowler, through a fictitious journalist Don Bentley and a fictitious newspaper, The Chronicle, seeks to record the days when the office pub was an extension of the newsroom and cigarette smoke and lead fumes from hot-metal type were the lifeblood of those that worked at the typeface. This is number 66 in the series and there are more to come ... the previous 65 are grouped under the Category Don Knowler
Jurisprudence and Julian Assange
Max Atkinson. Pic: of Julian Assange
21.05.12 3:55 am
According to Geoffrey Robertson QC, human rights lawyer and adviser to Julian Assange, the British Supreme Court is likely to rule on his appeal against extradition this month. The personal consequences for Assange are grave, and unlikely to end in Sweden; the US has now arranged a secret grand jury indictment to deport him for trial in America - for crimes yet to be clarified but which, if proved, may see him imprisoned for many years.
Carl Safina, Adbusters
21.05.12 3:37 am
Image, Cassandra’s Curse: http://www.clubofrome.org/?p=1893
Modern corporations were essentially illegal at the founding of the United States (the colonists had had enough of British corporations). In the new country, corporations could form, raise public capital, and share profits with stockholders only for specified activities that benefited the public, such as constructing roads or canals. Corporate licenses were temporary. Corporations were forbidden from attempting to influence elections, lawmaking, public policy, or civil life. Imagine.
A brief history of the first corporate century.
Today
• Where to Tasmania? • Wilful blindness and the new forest industry. Booth: Broke FT puts its hand out, again ... • The Naked Emperors • Feathering nests or furthering Tassie ... ? GetUp’s banned ad • Without fear or favour
• Customers advised to fix costly leaks • TCCI applauds Hobart Launceston agreement • Maritime Security Changes Cautiously Welcomed • WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY OPPORTUNITY FOR LIBERALS • WHERE IS STATE ON RECOMMENDED FORCED ADOPTIONS APOLOGY?
• Federal funding confirmed for Glenorchy’s riverside arts festival, The Works. • FULLERS: John Biggs in conversation with Lindsay Tuffin • Janine Shepherd at Fullers Bookshop Thursday, May 31st 5.30pm • MOONAH ARTS CENTRE: Blue Mosquitoes • Bolering back to Big Ted’s Tango!
• FULLERS: John Biggs in conversation with Lindsay Tuffin • Janine Shepherd at Fullers Bookshop Thursday, May 31st 5.30pm • MOONAH ARTS CENTRE: Blue Mosquitoes • People Before Pokies, Hobart, Tuesday June 5 • A cravin’ for Flavin!
• Value-adding • The Magical Recycling Cuckoo Clock • Going Bush • Tough Boy • The TCCI
An interesting summary of events above Liffey Falls presented as a fairy story for adults. Maybe some of the names could…
