It is interesting that the state where the greens have the greatest influence, has a steadily declining productivity, and is now dependent on GST hand outs from the other more economically progressive states.

I understand sympathesise; BUT what both sides are doing is betraying the long-term interests of Tassie. Ripping-out old growth forests is not sustainable; but there are sustainable patterns of forestry (we all know that). Eco-tourism would be a nice supplement to good old fashioned love of the place by many Australians like me who live up north but need less than half an excuse to come down. It's not all Franklin, Cradle and the Docks, it's also the people and the inland places, even Georgetown.

What this means is, everyone get behind a strong "I'm Tasmanian and I'm great" strategy, everyone contribute to the multiplicity of things will will make up a great strategy; and live the strategy until it's our way of life.

The Greens aren't great at that but nor is Labor.

It is interesting that capitalism is only "good" when it serves the interests of the political right.

@ LRAM:

Yes indeed. However, I'm sure that one of our resident libertarian free marketeers will be along shortly to defend the paramount right of Messrs Cameron and Wood to do whatever they please with their capital :)

Frederic

With respect, I think you are missing the point that Tasmania already has a healthy balance between conservation and use in its forests, with most old growth forests already reserved. Your comment about ripping out old growth forests reflects just how successful the ENGOs have been at misportraying the reality as something catastrophic that must be ended.

Yes there is some old growth logging, but you have to remember that old growth forests are not sustainable in their own right either - they eventually die or are burnt and replaced with regrowth - using and then regenerating a small proportion of them before this happens is hardly an environmental catastrophe worthy of the angst that this issue has sustained for so many years, and the resultant damage that is now being wrought on the state by misplaced 'green' sensibilities.

LRAM

"It is interesting that capitalism is only "good" when it serves the interests of the political right"

Of course the flip side of that is that to Green-Left activists and politicians, capitalism and the corporate world is always "bad" until it benefits them.