PETER CAVE: It hasn't taken long for Australia's new Forestry Minister to become embroiled in a controversy.

In a move that's outraged many in the environment movement, Senator Eric Abetz says he won't contemplate working with the Greens. He's also described the party as "insidious".

Senator Abetz's appointment means together with Greens leader Bob Brown, the two Tasmanian representatives now hold key political positions when it comes to Australia's forests.

As Tim Jeanes reports, it appears there's little chance however, that state loyalty will bring any peace to the bitter forest debate.

TIM JEANES: The Wilderness Society is describing it as "not exactly an olive branch".

At issue, comments from Senator Eric Abetz, who's just been promoted to the Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation portfolio.

In his first interview with ABC News, Senator Abetz was on the attack.

ERIC ABETZ: I look forward to being able to counter what I think is the insidious involvement of the Greens in Australian politics and their attempts to influence policy. They have a zero sum game, they do not have balance in their policies.

TIM JEANES: That's a fairly provocative approach straight away. Are you going to be able to work with Bob Brown and the Greens in a constructive way?

ERIC ABETZ: Well, I have never sought to work with Bob Brown in a constructive way because he is in fact an anathema to my political beliefs in a whole range of areas.

TIM JEANES: Greens leader Bob Brown is unimpressed, comparing Senator Abetz with former Forestry Minister, Wilson Tuckey.

BOB BROWN: You know, Eric wants to get off to a slanging match and I think it's a bad start. I don't think he should go the route of Wilson "Iron Bar" Tuckey.

I think he needs to have a listening ear and that means to everybody, including political opponents, because everybody's got something constructive in their saddlebag that we can work on.

And I just don't think it's a good look for Eric Abetz to be so pugnacious because he's got a minor lift up into a junior ministry.

TIM JEANES: Tasmanian Greens leader, Pegg Putt, is also decidedly unhappy.

PEGG PUTT: I think Eric Abetz has made an extremely poor start by his uninformed and inflammatory comments. And he needs to recognise that the Greens actually represent a substantial proportion of the population in Tasmania and their views.

The polls are showing us at around about 20 per cent of the vote, which in fact is not far behind his own Liberal Party here in Tasmania. And he is insulting all those people and their views, when he should be prepared to engage in dialogue.

TIM JEANES: Wilderness Society forest campaigner, Vica Bailey, also has concerns.

VICA BAILEY: Very disappointing and avoids the issues. Now, as Minister for Conservation, you know, forests, fisheries and conservation, he needs to attempt to represent the aspirations of all Australians, and that includes people who want to see increases in conservation, increases in forest conservation here in Tasmania.

TIM JEANES: But not everyone's unhappy with Senator Abetz, with the timber industry praising his appointment.

Barry Chipman is the Tasmanian State Manager for Timber Communities Australia.

BARRY CHIPMAN: Timber-dependent communities throughout Tasmania and throughout the rest of Australia are very pleased with the appointment of Senator Eric Abetz to be their minister.

Senator Abetz has been a long supporter of timber-dependent communities. We see that as?his appointment, as the correct decision by the Prime Minister and a reward for that long-term support for timber-dependent communities.

TIM JEANES: Now, the Senator's effectively walked into the position saying he won't work with the Greens. Isn't that a bit of a confrontational way to start off?

BARRY CHIPMAN: Well, I suppose how our new minister addresses the workings of Federal Parliament is something for him to decide. But we're pleased that we will have a working relationship with Senator Abetz in his new portfolio, and we very much look forward to continuing that relationship and building upon it.