OPPOSITION Leader Bryan Green has told the inquiry into the sale of the Triabunna wood chip mill that its closure was one of his most difficult times in government. The former Resources Minister appeared before the committee yesterday, and went head to head with Liberal members Roger Jaensch, Guy Barnett and Mark Shelton. The members quizzed Mr Green on a $25 million compensation payment to former timber company Gunns following the sale of the mill to environmentalists Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood. Mr Barnett set up the inquiry after a national magazine exposed allegations the mill was secretly and deliberately dismantled on AFL Grand Final day last year. "The government was up to their neck in it in terms of providing compensation when it wasn't even required to do so," Mr Barnett said. But Mr Green said he was "barking up the wrong tree", and the government received advice from the Solicitor General that Gunns should be compensated under the sale agreement. Mr Green said Mr Wood and Ms Cameron had indicated to him they would reopen the mill. "It was good faith, we took it at face value," Mr Green said. "I can tell you that we agonised," he said. "There were tears, the difficulties associated with the pain on peoples faces, the contactors, the workers generally, it was one of the most difficult periods I've experienced in government without any doubt," Mr Green said. Earlier in the day the inquiry heard from former Australian Forest Contractors Association chief executive Colin McCulloch who told the inquiry the sale of the mill to Ms Cameron and Mr Wood was an "up yours" gesture to Forestry Tasmania. AKS Forest Solutions director Tony Stonjek told the committee the next 10 years of forestry in Tasmania would be the most exciting yet. "This is a time to really show what we can do with native forests," Mr Stonjek said. Mr Stonjek said a Southern export facility was needed, and unless residue could be sold "all other opportunities were being held back". The inquiry will today hold hearings in Triabunna. Mr Wood and Ms Cameron are yet to appear before the inquiry.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said that that the closure of the Triabunna wood chip mill was one of his most difficult times in government.
OPPOSITION Leader Bryan Green has told the inquiry into the sale of the Triabunna wood chip mill that its closure was one of his most difficult times in government.
The former Resources Minister appeared before the committee yesterday, and went head to head with Liberal members Roger Jaensch, Guy Barnett and Mark Shelton.
The members quizzed Mr Green on a $25 million compensation payment to former timber company Gunns following the sale of the mill to environmentalists Jan Cameron and Graeme Wood.
Mr Barnett set up the inquiry after a national magazine exposed allegations the mill was secretly and deliberately dismantled on AFL Grand Final day last year.
"The government was up to their neck in it in terms of providing compensation when it wasn't even required to do so," Mr Barnett said.
The Triabunna wood chip mill, pictured earlier this year.
But Mr Green said he was "barking up the wrong tree", and the government received advice from the Solicitor General that Gunns should be compensated under the sale agreement.
Mr Green said Mr Wood and Ms Cameron had indicated to him they would reopen the mill.
"It was good faith, we took it at face value," Mr Green said.
"I can tell you that we agonised," he said.
"There were tears, the difficulties associated with the pain on peoples faces, the contactors, the workers generally, it was one of the most difficult periods I've experienced in government without any doubt," Mr Green said.
Earlier in the day the inquiry heard from former Australian Forest Contractors Association chief executive Colin McCulloch who told the inquiry the sale of the mill to Ms Cameron and Mr Wood was an "up yours" gesture to Forestry Tasmania.
AKS Forest Solutions director Tony Stonjek told the committee the next 10 years of forestry in Tasmania would be the most exciting yet.
"This is a time to really show what we can do with native forests," Mr Stonjek said.
Mr Stonjek said a Southern export facility was needed, and unless residue could be sold "all other opportunities were being held back".
The inquiry will today hold hearings in Triabunna.
Mr Wood and Ms Cameron are yet to appear before the inquiry.
