The sputtering FIATBy JASON LOVELLSince Mark Latham revealed that he has a Tasmanian forests policy, the Tasmanian Forest Industries Association (FIAT) seems to have retreated back inside the cave, emerging only to hurl "dark green extremist" allegations or to confuse the numbers of job losses associated with an end to old growth logging. While this regression has failed to attract the media's attention, it does appear that some in the forest industry are taking note. Consider the following from FIAT's spokespeople during the last couple of weeks: - The Felmingham report shows that 1800 jobs will be lost if old growth logging ceases. (Glenn Britton, multiple media outlets, 8/9) - An end to old growth logging will cost 2000 jobs. (Katy Hobbs, 7ZR, 3/9) - The end of old growth harvesting will cost about 4000 jobs. (Terry Edwards, The Mercury, 13/9) - The Wilderness Society wants to detroy Tasmania's forest industry and if successful 5000 jobs will be lost in the industry. (Terry Edwards, 7ZR 7/9) - The forest industry employs 10,000 workers. (Glenn Britton, 7ZR, 8/9) - There are 11,000 workers in the forest industry. (Glenn Britton, 7ZR, 8/9) The seemingly deliberate confusion listed above is embarrassing to say the least and not just for FIAT. Old growth logging is a national issue courtesy of the federal election and the entire country is currently scrutinising claims more closely than ever before. So FIAT's running commentary on forestry no longer sinks without a trace in the hicksville vacuum; Australians are taking note and I think they're taking action as a result. Auspine's recent decision to break ranks with the Tasmanian forest industry and call for an end to old growth logging must surely have some relationship to the divisive and innacurate commentary spewing out of FIAT; most commercial operators I know would run a mile from allegations that 85 per cent of their customer base, the Australian population, are "dark green extremists". It appears Auspine are no different. But it's not all bad at FIAT - at least one of their recent statements had the ring of truth to it: - There is a calculated campaign of misinformation related to the federal election. (Terry Edwards, 7ZR, 7/9) Right on guys. Now stop it at once. The writer known as Jason Lovell is a former student of Herr, Kirkpatrick and Felmingham. He now works as a contractor to the Tasmanian Government and several Government Business Enterprises and lives on 20 acres in the Derwent Valley.
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RAPID RESPONSE EMAIL: What do you think? Tuesday, September 14, 2004 |