After nine years on the job, it takes a fair bit to get me hot under the collar these days. But in the last week, I've felt genuine rage and disbelief witnessing the reckless behaviour of the Gutwein government.
Only days ago, mismanaged logging fires destroyed carbon-rich forests, threatened thriving tourism businesses and impaired people's health. Yet despite this tragic loss, the Gutwein government was miraculously undeterred from commencing logging of rainforests bordering our world-renowned Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails.
The government is not only incapable of looking after our forests but is determined to destroy them, along with our island's wild reputation - which provides a far greater economic return than what the destructive forestry industry does.
Last week's slash and burn by our state-owned logging agency came within kilometres of world heritage protected forests in the Styx Valley, which remain unprotected from stupidity and arrogance.
It was dumb luck that prevented this poorly timed fire from burning the 'Valley of the Giants', full of the world's oldest and tallest flowering trees. It would have broken hearts of many around the world if this area had been destroyed. Heads within the Gutwein government would have had to roll had this calamity occurred.
Then, just when you think things couldn't be more brazenly stupid, reports have emerged that logging is now occurring beside Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails.
Few places in the world can you ride in stunning rainforest. It's Tasmania's wild reputation across so many industries that boosts employment and gives us new hope and economic direction.
It hasn't escaped my attention that Peter Gutwein is riding high in the polls, thanks to the pandemic. No doubt he will be emboldened by the WA state election result, and feels himself politically untouchable, meaning he can do what he wants - including ramping up logging and trashing key tourism destinations.
I get asked by so many people, across all political colours, why our state government persists with logging carbon-rich forests at a loss to the public, in a time of climate emergency.
Well, it's because it can. The only way to stop it is at the next election. Tasmanians need to think long and hard about giving this Liberal government a mandate to do whatever they want.
Their actions in this last week proves just how dangerous that would be.
- Peter Whish-Wilson, Tasmanian Greens senator
