The likely winner of the Southern seat yesterday said he had campaigned against the proposed Tamar Valley mill many times.

"I've been campaigning against Gunns' proposed Tamar River pulp mill for as long as I can remember," he said.

"I've spoken at protest rallies against it."

Mr Wilkie said he could support a Tasmanian pulp mill if it was "genuinely pollution free", water and energy efficient, and was supplied sustainably.

However, he said the state did not necessarily need a pulp mill.

"No, I don't agree that a pulp mill is essential to the survival of the forestry industry here," he said.

Mr Wilkie said Tasmania needed to focus on "what we're good at", meaning speciality and plantation timbers.