The Greens have supported calls from Tasmanian businesses for payments under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to be increased for 12 months pending the results of a full review.
Senator Nick McKim, who was part of the recent Senate Inquiry into the TFES, said that the scheme is no longer fit for purpose and that northbound freight from Tasmania should be better supported while a review is underway.
"Freight costs across Bass Strait have spiralled while support from the TFES has failed to keep pace."
"This has been an issue for decades and it needs to be addressed."
"We remain of the view that whole logs from Tasmania's native forests should not attract support from the TFES. The mendicant native forest logging industry should not have access to yet another public subsidy."
