Ahead of the Tasmanian election on 23 March, 2024, fifty-seven candidates from independent and minor parties in all five electorates have endorsed Sophie Scamps MP’s Forest Pledge, laying the groundwork for the upcoming parliament to halt native forest logging in Tasmania.
The independent member of parliament for Mackellar, Dr. Sophie Scamps, the Independent Federal Representative for Mackellar, initiated this pledge in November 2023, urging both state and federal politicians to collaborate towards implementing a comprehensive nationwide prohibition on the harvesting of native timbers from our invaluable forests.
The Australia Institute warned that Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s choice to expand native forest logging risks pushing threatened species closer to extinction and is not aligned with the preferences of voters.
Support for an end to native forest logging
A clear majority of Tasmanians, 57%, oppose the Liberal Government’s proposal to open up 40,000 hectares of native forest for logging, while only 37% express support for the plan.
The proposal finds greater support among Liberal voters, with 70% in favor compared to 23% opposed. However, among other political affiliations, opposition is pronounced: 73% of Labor voters, 96% of Greens supporters, 65% of Jacqui Lambie Network adherents, 77% of independents, and 50% of voters with other affiliations are against it.
“Multiple candidates from across the political spectrum know that native forest logging does not make economic sense and is needlessly destroying the environment.”
“Our research shows seven in 10 Australians want to see an end to native forest logging.”
“Australia Institute research shows that Tasmanian voters are anticipating a minority government and that there is significant community concern about the Liberal Party’s plan to open 40,000 hectares of native forest to logging”
said Vanessa Bleyer, Australia Institute spokesperson on native forests.
Clarke MP Kristie Johnston, who signed the Forest Pledge said:
“It is critical that we end the logging of our native forests that is driving runaway climate change.”
“Traditional Labor and Liberal voters who want native forest logging to end finally have someone to back – independents who are serious about protecting our precious forests.”
Clarke MP Kristie Johnston
Sophie Scamps MP’s Forest Pledge
The Forest Pledge has garnered signatures from 57 candidates, comprising notable independents and representatives from minor parties. The Forest Pledge reads:
We stand before the Australian community with a heartfelt plea to urgently end industrial logging of native forests across Australia.
Half of Australia’s forests have been lost.
Australia can become a world leader in protecting and restoring forests to protect wildlife, store carbon and adapt to climate change. Ending native forest logging would also help us meet our climate and nature commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
With generous support for timber workers and a well-managed transition, we could grow regional economies with a sustainable timber industry and support tourism businesses.
Taxpayer subsidies to government logging agencies must end. Major investment is needed to expand sustainable plantations to secure future supply of timber.
We must listen to and learn from First Nations Australians, whose knowledge is critical to successfully restoring and protecting our native forests.
We – the undersigned – pledge to do everything in our power to pressure local, state, and federal governments to end the destruction and loss-making logging of our precious native forests.
According to Australia Institute research (pdf), 99% of Tasmanians are not employed in the forestry sector, and Tasmanian forestry production has largely shifted towards plantation timber rather than native forest logging.
“With fifty-seven candidates signing the Forest Pledge, there is a very real possibility that the next parliament will feature a crossbench committed to ending native forest logging, and that voters will be expecting action.”
said Vanessa Bleyer
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, a general election will take place for the House of Assembly in Tasmania. The state is divided into 5 divisions: Bass, Braddon, Clark, Franklin, and Lyons. In each division, 7 members will be elected to serve a term of up to 4 years in office.
Tasmanian candidate signatories to the Forest Pledge
Bass
| Candidate | Party |
| Alexander, Lara | IND |
| Ball, Lauren | GRN |
| Barnett, Carol | GRN |
| Davenport, Jack | IND |
| Davis, Ivan | AJP |
| Fittler, Jack | GRN |
| Hall, Tom | GRN |
| Hendry, Calum | GRN |
| Layton-Bennett, Anne | GRN |
| Rosol, Cecily | GRN |
| Walker, Tim | IND |
Braddon
| Candidate | Party |
| Briggs, Darren | GRN |
| Garland, Craig | IND |
| Kersey, Sarah | GRN |
| King, Julia | AJP |
| Lovell, Leeya | GRN |
| McLoughlin, Michael | GRN |
| Morrow, Erin | GRN |
| Ward, Susanne | GRN |
| Wilden, Petra | GRN |
Clark
| Candidate | Party |
| Campbell, Sam | LN |
| Bayley, Vica | GRN |
| Burnet, Helen | GRN |
| Davies, Casey | AJP |
| Formby, Frank | LN |
| Hickey, Sue | IND |
| Hoare, Trenton | GRN |
| Johnston, Kristie | IND |
| Jones, Peter | GRN |
| Lohberger, Ben | IND |
| Nunn, David | LN |
| Shelley, Janet | GRN |
| Vogel, Stefan | IND |
| Volf, Nathan | GRN |
| Zalotockyj, James | GRN |
| Zollner, Ranae | LN |
Franklin
| Candidate | Party |
| Cambers-Smith, Jenny | GRN |
| Campbell, Christine | GRN |
| Cordover, Gideon | GRN |
| Cordover-Pritchard, Tamar | IND |
| Darko, Jade | GRN |
| Delaney, Martine | LN |
| Ellison, Bob | IND |
| Fitzgerald, Owen | GRN |
| Glade-Wright, Clare | IND |
| Mrosek, Lukas | GRN |
| Thomas-Wurth, Jehni | AJP |
| Woodruff, Rosalie | GRN |
Lyons
| Candidate | Party |
| Allan, Alistair | GRN |
| Badger, Tabatha | GRN |
| Branch-Allen, Jenny | IND |
| Brown, Craig | GRN |
| Gralton, Anna Megan | AJP |
| Houghton, Mitch | GRN |
| Miller, Glenn | GRN |
| Rubenach-Quinn, Hannah | GRN |
| Whisson, Gary | GRN |
Declined to sign
| Liberal Party of Tasmania |
| Jacqui Lambie Network |
| Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party of Tasmania |
No response
| Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch) |
Related stories
EPA stops logging at Flat Rock State Forest
EPA’s Stop Work Order extended in Tallaganda State Forest
Greater Glider heading for extinction
NSW Forestry Corp have a fight on their hands to Save Bulga Forest
Midcoast Council Votes to Save Bulga Forest on Biripi Country
Lola Koala’s tree-sit in Bulga Forest continues a tradition of forest protest
Forest defenders and climate activists arrested in Bulga State Forest
Locals protest NSW Forestry logging in Bulga Forest
Flawed habitat maps could derail government plans to save the Koala
Knitting Nanna blocks saw mill & stops logging trucks
