TASMANIA’S anti-corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate publicly funded payouts now offered to sawmillers to stay in the industry. Greens leader Kim Booth said Resources Minister Paul Harriss’ decision to offer sawmillers the chance to keep a chunk of their exit packages as an enticement to remain operating had ‘‘the stench of corruption’’ about it. Mr Harriss told Parliament this week more than six regional sawmillers would claim at least half of their payouts and stay in the sector. The grants, made under the former government’s Tasmanian Forests Agreement, ranged between $90,000 and $1.8 million. Mr Booth said the minister was behaving like Santa Claus, and has referred the matter to the Integrity Commission. ‘‘To prop up a select few failing businesses with public money is a dangerous precedent and a gross abuse of trust and power,’’ Mr Booth said. ‘‘There’s small businesses all around this state who face financial issues with regard to their businesses who don’t receive these sorts of payouts.’’ Mr Harriss said he was confident the reversal would withstand external scrutiny. ‘‘That sort of inflammatory, dishonest language ought to be called for what it is,’’ Mr Harriss said. ‘‘It is an absolutely untruthful and mischievous beat-up in the extreme.’’ Opposition Leader Bryan Green said he was worried people who decided to stay in the industry would suffer as a result of more people claiming access to log volumes available. ‘‘I would be concerned to make sure those people who are working and stayed with the industry can be viable and make money,’’ Mr Green said. But Mr Harriss insisted sawmillers who were not offered an exit package would not be disadvantaged. ‘‘The only ones that didn’t qualify for an exit are those that hold significant Crown (timber) allocations,’’ he said. ‘‘This will only affect regional sawmillers.’’
TASMANIA’S anti-corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate publicly funded payouts now offered to sawmillers to stay in the industry.
Greens leader Kim Booth said Resources Minister Paul Harriss’ decision to offer sawmillers the chance to keep a chunk of their exit packages as an enticement to remain operating had ‘‘the stench of corruption’’ about it.
Mr Harriss told Parliament this week more than six regional sawmillers would claim at least half of their payouts and stay in the sector.
The grants, made under the former government’s Tasmanian Forests Agreement, ranged between $90,000 and $1.8 million.
Mr Booth said the minister was behaving like Santa Claus, and has referred the matter to the Integrity Commission.
‘‘To prop up a select few failing businesses with public money is a dangerous precedent and a gross abuse of trust and power,’’ Mr Booth said.
‘‘There’s small businesses all around this state who face financial issues with regard to their businesses who don’t receive these sorts of payouts.’’
Mr Harriss said he was confident the reversal would withstand external scrutiny.
‘‘That sort of inflammatory, dishonest language ought to be called for what it is,’’ Mr Harriss said.
‘‘It is an absolutely untruthful and mischievous beat-up in the extreme.’’
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said he was worried people who decided to stay in the industry would suffer as a result of more people claiming access to log volumes available.
‘‘I would be concerned to make sure those people who are working and stayed with the industry can be viable and make money,’’ Mr Green said.
But Mr Harriss insisted sawmillers who were not offered an exit package would not be disadvantaged.
‘‘The only ones that didn’t qualify for an exit are those that hold significant Crown (timber) allocations,’’ he said.
