What is Timber Communities Australia?

from http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Timber_Communities_Australia

"Since its inception in 1987, TCA has been positioned as the voice of the little people caught between the conservation movement, governments and the large woodchip companies. It purports to be the authentic voice of those who are merely seeking to make a living and keep their jobs, to feed their families. Its advertisements feature stereotypes of the hard-working family--craftspeople, bee keepers, people in truck-stop cafes and children in the bush with their grandparents. Its web page says it is a grassroots organisation which `exists to encourage the sensible, balanced multiple use of our forests for the benefit of all Australians'", he said.

"In fact, it is the brainchild and mouthpiece of NAFI, the National Association of Forest Industries, headquartered in Canberra, the lobby group of Australia's logging and woodchip corporations. NAFI and Timber Communities Australia share a common headquarters in Canberra and a common executive director, Kate Carnell," he said.

"Timber Communities Australia is, in fact, an astroturf organisation, to use its own public relations jargon -- fake grassroots," he said. [1]

that a person sends an e-mail does not mean s/he has an empty head or is unappraised of the issues. people (in my understanding) subscribe to 'get up' because they wish to take positive action in relation to issues affecting australia, the world, the community and ultimately themselves. joining 'get up' signifies that the person has thought about issues that are important and that s/he believes require political action. 'writing off' people who send e-mails simply because their mode of communication is via e-mail is not particularly thoughtful. discernment teaches us that we need to explore the nature of the website/source from which the e-mails eminate, the nature of the membership or readership, and the content of the e-mails rather than saying 'e-mail writer - must be a mindless communicant'. surely?

I agree wholeheartedly with the previous two writers. Mr Ashbarry contends that, "Despite the 31,000 or so form emails and the opinion of three “experts”, the Tasmanian pulp will meet the vision of the Tasmanian Government". There would be very few of my fellow residents in Northern Tasmania, and in particularly those in the Tamar Valley, who would be reassured by that comment.

I was one of the contributors to the Get Up submissions to Minister Turnbull, however like many others, I have no doubt, I wrote my own comments. The major concern I expressed in those comments was that governments have a very poor record in respect of enforcing guidelines such as those developed (by the Tasmanian Government and Gunns)for the proposed pulp mill. One only has to reflect upon the assurances that were given when B Double vehicles were introduced into Tasmania 'onto main roads'. In the face of pressure by the major transport companies we now encounter those vehicles throughout Tasmania, even on roads such as the Esk Highway, a substandard road but a significant tourist route.

So the fact we will have 'guidelines' to police the pulp mill offers no solace to me.

"Timber Communities Australia is, in fact, an astroturf organisation, to use its own public relations jargon -- fake grassroots," Bob Brown said.

Bob certainly know a few things about grass roots...

So 25,773 standard emails came from Get up, all saying word for word the same thing. Shouldn't they only count as 1 submission, or maybe Minister Turnbull could review one of 25,773 standard emails, form an answer and then assume it addresses all of those submissions.

"One only has to reflect upon the assurances that were given when B Double vehicles were introduced into Tasmania 'onto main roads'. In the face of pressure by the major transport companies we now encounter those vehicles throughout Tasmania,"
Did they assure you that you would never encounter a B Double??

Touche, Ian D,

Have a look at the Western Australian government's performance on environmental "guidelines."

These "guidelines," with the blessing of the Department of Environment, are breached 24/7 whilst people continue to be force-fed hazardous chemicals from industrial pollution.

Then you have other citizens, a result of Alcoa's pollution, being offered a pittance and forced from their own homes to seek a healthier environment elsewhere for their families.

Despite written community appeals, complete with scientific and documented evidence from emissions' reports, the Department, captured by pollutant industries, acts as a defence for the pollutant industry.

Enforcement of the EPA Act is a myth and self-regulation is alive and well!

Billie boy
Sorry to say but it looks like your research is a fair bit wanting in the facts department. Following a quick read of the Timber Communities web site www.tca.org.au it is very clear that Mrs Jill Lewis is their CEO and then following a bit more checking I can confirm she has been for the past 5 years, before that Mr Chris Althaus was their CEO and before that Mrs Robyn Loydell.

But what was even more interesting was what my research threw up regarding the web site you used to justify your of the mark comments. The author of your incorrect references regarding Timber Communities is no other than Mr Bob Burton ex Tas Wilderness Society campaign director. So guess Billie boy you will also ague that what else would you expect from the TWS