Forest rogue

Forestry Tasmania is a rogue agency which is planning to siphon million of dollars from the Intergovernmental Agreement on Tasmania's forests signed by Prime Minister Gillard and Premier Giddings last August, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"The draft memorandum of understanding with Aboriginal representatives, revealed today in The Australian, would siphon millions off to pay for its own dud tourist ventures, and to get an Aboriginal stamp of approval on the clear-felling, firebombing and destruction of Tasmania's wild forests. It's a cruel episode," Senator Brown said.

"The deal reportedly includes Indigenous endorsement for the Australian Forestry Standard, a discredited industry-created brand. Logging operations in Tasmania already occur under this ‘standard', which accepts clear-felling of old-growth forests and wilderness areas.

"There should be a much better outcome for all concerned, including Aboriginal Tasmanians," Senator Brown said.