Native forest logging is a loss-making industry that survives only on billions in public subsidies, according to a new report from the Wilderness Society Tasmania. It’s more evidence native forest logging must end.
Governments have spent more than $1.25 billion in public subsidies since the late 1980s propping up the native forest logging industry. The native forest industry has never been commercially viable, and claims that it is essential to Tasmania’s economy are not supported by evidence.
The Liberal Government continues to prop up the loss-making native forest logging industry with public money. The native forest logging industry would not exist without government forking out millions in public subsidies every year to continue deforestation. This must end.
The Tasmanian native forest logging industry cannot keep up with plantation forestry or global markets without more public money. The native forest logging industry has no future in this state. Workers must be transitioned into sustainable industries.
Tasmania’s native forests are home to endangered species, and globally significant carbon stores. In biodiversity and climate crises, there’s no other option than to end native forest logging.
With current contracts ending in 2027, the Liberal Government must stop supporting ecosystem destruction with public funds and end the native forest logging industry.
