Giz Watson MLC
Member for North Metropolitan Region
MEDIA RELEASE
Released Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Nationals fail to protect country jobs: Greens

“The Nationals should spend part of the $120 million uncommitted Royalties for Regions cash on saving jobs that are being stripped from the Forest Products Commission”, says Greens MLC Giz Watson.

“Eighty percent of the FPC’s staff in regional centres working on new plantations will lose their jobs unless funds are immediately injected”, she says.

“More jobs will be lost by people who have set up businesses around this FPC work, for example from the nurseries that grow the seedlings for planting,” Ms Watson said.

The benefits of new plantations include improved water and soil quality, carbon storage and fighting salinity. When the trees mature they will in addition provide an alternative source of timber products and employment through developing that industry.

“I call on the Nationals to use Royalties for Regions to protect the rural environment and local jobs,” she said.

 1.The $120 million figure is reported in today’s West at page 3. The Minister says the cost of saving the jobs would be $40 million per annum. CPSU/CSA disputes this figure and says the cost would be $10 million pa.

For further comment, contact Giz Watson on 08 9201 0582, Mobile: 0414 837 753