Dr WOODRUFF – I have a question on behalf of the community around Lorinna. There’re some plantations growing in the upper reaches of the Lorinna area that are leased to Reliance Forest Fibre, and they are detrimentally depleting the water supply south of Olivers Creek. The trees planted originally were of the wrong species for that location. Adjacent to that coupe is an area that’s intentionally being protected to preserve the water catchment and supply. It appears that the designation of the coupe now leased to Reliance Forest Fibre for plantations was simply a mapping error, or so the community believe. Will you work with Reliance Forest Fibre, who have said, I understand, that they’d accept a buyback of the leased area to secure that land and add it to the protected part of the water catchment, for reliability for livestock and domestic supply? Farmers have mentioned the impacts of the depletion on that water supply available for them.
Mr ABETZ – A sad experience has taught me not to fully rely on assertions made by Green MPs. There are a lot of assertions that, by Dr Woodruff’s own admissions, she believes that the community understands that certain things were mapped in error, that the wrong species of tree was planted, that it has certain detrimental effects –
Dr WOODRUFF – Chair, I find that imputation offensive. I’m speaking on behalf of the community. I’m not there, I’m not standing here giving me these words. This is from an email from the community. I’m reporting it to you, as I understand, because these were the words that people told me. So we should have the respect to treat this as a serious question from the Lorinna community members. I don’t need you chiming in, Mr Shelton.
CHAIR – Order. Dr Woodruff, please allow the minister to answer the question.
Mr ABETZ – All I’ve said is that from a sad experience, I’ve been burnt from time to time by taking at face value assertions made by the Greens.
Dr WOODRUFF – Let’s talk about managed investment schemes and the failure of that. You were the architect of that Ponzi scheme that’s been so damaging for northern Tasmanian communities. So, honestly, just treat it with respect.
CHAIR – Order, Dr Woodruff.
Dr WOODRUFF – Give us an answer for the community.
CHAIR – Please, cease interjecting and allow the minister to answer the question how he sees fit.
Mr ABETZ – The person that demands respect shows none. It is really unbelievable.
Dr WOODRUFF – Start by modelling it.
Mr ABETZ – Allow me to repeat that there are lots of assertions in the question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Do you want to challenge them? Go ahead.
CHAIR – Order.
Mr ABETZ – At law school, I learnt a maxim that the person that wants to assert something needs to prove it. It’s not for the other person to prove the negative. If Dr Woodruff has certain assertions, then let the evidence be put forward and then we can consider it. But this is, as I understand it, private property, and that is up to the owner of that property to determine what they might want to do with it, within the bounds of the law. If they’re willing to sell it to somebody, be it to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) or somebody else, then that is what the open market allows. At this stage, I can’t see any need for my involvement in this matter.
Dr WOODRUFF – On the question, will you answer it, please? Will you consider speaking to Alliance Forest Fibre, who’ve indicated that they are interested in having the lease secured by the government and handed back. Will you have that conversation with them?
Mr ABETZ – They have not approached me about this matter, and if that is what their view is, I will await their approach and consider it on that basis. I’m not going to reach out to them on the basis of the matters that have been raised today.
Dr WOODRUFF – Okay. This is my first question and I was incredibly indulgent for all that long series of questions from Labor. Chair, that was one question. That was an attack on me that I had to defend myself about.
CHAIR – Just because you don’t like the answer, doesn’t mean it wasn’t answered. Dr Woodruff –
Dr WOODRUFF – Honestly, that was one question about the Lorinna community and I didn’t even get an answer. The second question.
CHAIR – There’s time to ask the question again, should you wish.
Dr WOODRUFF – No, I have a right on behalf of the Greens to have two questions. That is the rotation.
CHAIR – You have had two questions.
Dr WOODRUFF – No, I didn’t Chair. That is really unreasonable.
CHAIR – Don’t argue with me, please Dr Woodruff, or raise your voice to me. Mr Shelton has the call.
