Qld: New headache for Bligh in assets sell-off

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2010
Qld: New headache for Bligh in assets sell-off

BRISBANE, April 20 AAP - Queensland's timber industry is reconsidering its support
of the Bligh government's $4 billion forestry asset sale.

Peak industry body Timber Queensland says it supported the sale of government-owned
plantation grower Forestry Plantations Queensland based on conditions outlined by the
government.

But it claims an agreement, under which the government, conservation movement and the
industry agreed to move away from native hardwood forests to plantations, is under threat.

Timber Queensland chief executive Rod McGuiness says he's sought assurances from the
government but has heard nothing.

"We first put a question to the government on Thursday last week. We were given commitments
that there would be a response in writing to our request by Friday afternoon and we've
heard nothing," he told ABC radio.

"We've tried to chase that up and we're getting fobbed off."

Timber Queensland will hold a media conference at 11am (AEST) in Brisbane today.

AAP djb/tnf/maur

KEYWORD: TIMBER

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