MEMBERS of the forestry advisory council say claims they have been reduced to "yes men" fitted with "media muzzles" are "bull...t", following the resignation of their deputy chairwoman. Senior forestry adviser Sue Smith has quit, just weeks after suggesting Forestry Tasmania should be dismantled. Mrs Smith last month said the struggling state-owned business should be privatised and its assets sold off, arguing continuing state and federal political interference was wreaking havoc on the industry. Just 48 hours after her comments were made, Resources Minister Paul Harriss insisted Mrs Smith had changed her mind and supported keeping Forestry Tasmania in government hands. However, the views Mrs Smith first made public were yesterday cited as the reason for her resignation. Mrs Smith was overseas and could not be contacted for comment but, in a statement released by the minister's office, said she wanted to give the council clear air. "Unfortunately, my private views and recent public comments about Forestry Tasmania have proved a distraction to the important work of the council," she said. Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Mrs Smith had been effectively forced to resign. "She let the cat out of the bag and the politics became too hard for Mr Harriss," Mr Green said. Mr Harriss flatly rejected his claims. "Anybody that knows Sue Smith would know she always has the greater public good at the base of any decision she makes," he said. But Mr Green insisted the council was being gagged. "Anyone that puts their head up will get it kicked off, as Mrs Smith did," he said. Forestry Industry Association of Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards, who sits on the council, rubbished his assertion. "She wasn't pushed, she wasn't muzzled, she wasn't strong-armed, she wasn't bullied," Mr Edwards said. "She's dived on her sword for the greater good." Mr Edwards angrily dismissed claims the council had been silenced. "You've got me now. I can't not swear, that's f . . . . . g bull . . . t," he said. "We've agreed comments about the council should be the province of the whole council and not individual members spruiking their own personal views," he said.
MEMBERS of the forestry advisory council say claims they have been reduced to "yes men" fitted with "media muzzles" are "bull...t", following the resignation of their deputy chairwoman.
Senior forestry adviser Sue Smith has quit, just weeks after suggesting Forestry Tasmania should be dismantled.
Mrs Smith last month said the struggling state-owned business should be privatised and its assets sold off, arguing continuing state and federal political interference was wreaking havoc on the industry.
Just 48 hours after her comments were made, Resources Minister Paul Harriss insisted Mrs Smith had changed her mind and supported keeping Forestry Tasmania in government hands.
However, the views Mrs Smith first made public were yesterday cited as the reason for her resignation.
Mrs Smith was overseas and could not be contacted for comment but, in a statement released by the minister's office, said she wanted to give the council clear air.
"Unfortunately, my private views and recent public comments about Forestry Tasmania have proved a distraction to the important work of the council," she said.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Mrs Smith had been effectively forced to resign.
"She let the cat out of the bag and the politics became too hard for Mr Harriss," Mr Green said.
Mr Harriss flatly rejected his claims.
"Anybody that knows Sue Smith would know she always has the greater public good at the base of any decision she makes," he said.
But Mr Green insisted the council was being gagged.
"Anyone that puts their head up will get it kicked off, as Mrs Smith did," he said.
Forestry Industry Association of Tasmania chief executive Terry Edwards, who sits on the council, rubbished his assertion.
"She wasn't pushed, she wasn't muzzled, she wasn't strong-armed, she wasn't bullied," Mr Edwards said.
"She's dived on her sword for the greater good."
Mr Edwards angrily dismissed claims the council had been silenced.
"You've got me now. I can't not swear, that's f . . . . . g bull . . . t," he said.
"We've agreed comments about the council should be the province of the whole council and not individual members spruiking their own personal views," he said.
