The Tasmanian Liberal Government calls on the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to return to its regional roots and back in Tasmanian family businesses working in our native forests.
The recent news that the bank intends to withdraw its longstanding support for T P Bennett & Sons, a Tasmanian forestry contractor, and drop them as a customer on "ESG grounds" is extremely disappointing.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said it was important that corporate Australia stick to the facts on native forestry.
"Tasmania's forestry sector, with its mixed approach of conservation and active forest management, provides an exceedingly high degree of environmental protection and sustainability," said Minister Abetz.
"We are blessed in Tasmania to have a sustainable, word-class native forestry sector that puts food on the table for thousands of families.
"The news that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is looking to withdraw their support for Tasmania's sustainable, world-class native forestry industry is disappointing and misguided.
"Upon learning of this decision I wrote to Chief Executive Officer of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Richard Fennell, to express my genuine disappointment and frustration at this misguided decision.
"Tasmania has a legal, renewable, and sustainable native hardwood industry from which we source timber and fibre, including high-value special species and appearance grade timber.
"Timbers for these uses cannot be sourced from plantation – if we do not produce them here locally, they need to be imported at great cost.
"This would see timber being imported from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and South America – countries that frankly do not compare with Tasmania's approach.
"What could be more sustainable than houses being built and furnished in Tasmania from sustainably grown Tasmanian timber harvested by local businesses? It simply doesn't pass the pub test that a local bank wouldn't be prepared to finance this type of activity.
"I'm proud to stand side by side with our forestry sector and will continue to support these businesses under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
"Our Liberal Government will not be swayed by the views of mainland extremist groups which have a radical ideological opposition to native forestry."
