A new report into Tasmanian special species timber has provided a scathing assessment of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the state’s timber industry – revealing that jobs in the industry and the future of iconic events like the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and Salamanca Market are at risk.

The Tasmanian Special Species Timber Review found that the fine timbers and Timbercraft sector is experiencing “systemic failure” under the Liberals, with a lack of supply holding the sector back.

It notes that several businesses are suffering reduced employment, transitioned to part-time, and planning closures because of this.

Worryingly, the report signals a threat to the future of the Wooden Boat Festival and timbercraft at the Salamanca Market.

“The effective cessation of the icon special species harvest creates a threat to the livelihoods of primary and secondary timber processors, designers, joiners, cabinet makers, artisans, and producers of kitchenware and utility items as well as the intrinsic cultural and social fabric created through timbercraft and timbercraft dependent events like Salamanca Market, the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, and the Tasmanian Craft Fair,” the report found.

Tasmania’s special species timber is a unique sector is supports jobs and events across Tasmania.

The Liberals need to stop paying lip-service to the sector, start respecting its unique value to Tasmania and adopt Labor’s policy of a standalone management authority for this iconic resource.

Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Resources