Media
Peace process divides forest industry
Aug 8, 2011
A rift has emerged in Tasmania's ailing forest industry over the multi-million-dollar assistance package, signed off by the Prime Minister in Launceston yesterday.
The forest peace process has always divided the Tasmanian community and its political parties, but now it is causing a split in the industry as well.
Arrests at forest protest
Published in the Yea Chronicle, Aug 3, 2011
Historic agreement provides certainty for Tasmania's forests and forest industry
Media Release - The Hon. Tony Burke MP - Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
7 August 2011
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings have this morning signed a landmark agreement that will provide certainty for Tasmania’s forestry industry, support local jobs and communities, and protect the state’s ancient forests.
The agreement has been reached between the Federal and State Labor Governments after a long period of collaboration and consultation with key industry and environmental stakeholders.
Fuji Xerox cuts ties with logging company
AAP
August 04, 2011
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have praised Fuji Xerox for cutting ties with a big paper manufacturer accused of wrongfully logging Indonesian rainforests.
Fuji Xerox Australia announced today it will no longer be doing business with Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL), which owns one of the world's largest paper mills.
Fuji Xerox managing director Nick Kugenthiran said fresh allegations of APRIL unsustainably clearing forest land in Sumatra was the final straw after months of doubts.
Gunns' shares suspended
Aug 5, 2011
Shares in Tasmanian timber company Gunns have been suspended for two days.
Gunns is in a trading halt as the company waits for the finalisation of Tasmania's forestry peace agreement.
The trading halt came after $38 million was wiped from the company in two days, and shares hit a record low of 20 cents.
Forests inquiry boss worried about sale reasons
Aug 4, 2011
The chairman of a state parliamentary inquiry into the proposed sale of forest rotations in south-east South Australia says he is disturbed by the rationale behind it.
Deal aims to bring peace to Tasmanian forests
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 04/08/2011
Reporter: Martin Cuddihy
A deal that aims to bring peace to Tasmania's forests, conservationists and loggers is about to be signed at the end of the week. But is the plan enough to keep all parties happy?
Trees have the answer to everything
The Age , Aug 4, 2011
A clean source of fuel is just one of the promises held out by scientists on a mission to emulate trees' ability to harness and store sunlight, writes Deborah Smith.
The answer to many of the world's problems lies all around us, gently waving in the breeze.
Trees, with their green leaves, are not just things of grace and beauty, they are the smart end product of more than 2 billion years of evolution, producing food and fuel almost out of thin air, from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. They have a lot to teach us. And some scientists - led by an Australian researcher - believe it is time for a global project to emulate their impressive natural feat as quickly as possible.
Tigers, orangutans and our own Leadbeater's Possum at risk from logging
Logging is endangering species around the world, not just here at home. As we fight to maintain habitat for our endangered Leadbeater's Possum we also have to ensure that timber being imported from overseas is sustainable. Illegal and immoral logging practices worldwide are being highlighted more often it seems. Lets hope this increase in awareness will bring much needed change both here and around the world. Remember, without demand there will be no drive to supply.
Click here to see an clip from the ABC's 7:30 Report about the protecting the orangutan's habitat
Click here to see a clip from the ABC's Foreign Correspondent titled Paper Tiger featuring the threat to the Sumatran tiger.
Treasury officials to front timber inquiry
Posted August 03, 2011
Treasury officials will face a South Australian parliamentary inquiry today on the planned forward sale of forest timber in the south-east.
There was a hearing at Mount Gambier recently at which former forests minister Rory McEwen said the decision to sell more than a century's worth of harvesting rights had been made by Treasury zealots.