As a consequence of the Western Australian Government’s decision to ban old-growth logging, over 900 workers directly, and almost 3000 indirectly, are now looking for jobs. Bob Pearce, Executive director, Forest Industries Federation of WA, describes the huge impact on those affected communities and the businesses on which those communities rely for goods and services.

by Bob Pearce, Executive director, Forest Industries Federation of WA reported in the Launceston Examiner.

Greens leader Peg Putt frequently refers to the success of the WA Government's decision to ban old-growth logging.

Here are some simple facts:

. The native timber industry in WA has been reduced to 40 per cent of its previous size.

. Before the policy's implementation, there were 48 native timber sawmills in WA. Now there are 13.

. Nearly 900 people directly involved in the industry, or in supplying services to the industry, are registered with the government programme for redundant workers because they have either lost their jobs or expect to. This may seem "less than expected", (the Premier predicted 1000 direct job losses), but the Government closed off the scheme in December 2002, which prevented many who lost their jobs after this from applying, and the restricted definitions of eligibility excluded others, so the Premier's prediction will be pretty accurate.

. Estimates of additional indirect job losses range from 1000 (Government) to 3000 (industry). These get no assistance from Government.

. Of the 571 redundant workers whose cases had been dealt with by October 2003, only 201 had found full-time work.

. The cost to the WA taxpayer has been around $180 million.
None of these facts and figures can convey the sheer misery, uncertainty and economic hardship that has been inflicted on thousands of West Australians by the Government's policy.

Nor does it describe the huge impact on affected communities and the businesses on which those communities rely for goods and services.

It's bad enough that these people and communities have to put up the harsh reality of what their Government has done to them without the added insult of the Peg Putts of this world telling them that all is fine and dandy.

As for Ms Putt's desire to do the same things to her fellow Tasmanians, that's a matter for Tasmanians to sort out.

Just don't believe the rosy tales of tourists who came but didn't see.