Media | Local News

Waste tax turns QLD timber to dust

21st February 2019

New revelations today have uncovered that Labor’s waste tax strategy will force up the price of hardwood timber, as mills pay millions of dollars for the dumping of sawdust, that would have otherwise been recycled.

LNP Environment spokesman David Crisafulli joined LNP Member for Gympie Tony Perrett today, to expose the devastating effect Labor’s new waste tax will have on consumers and industry.

Mr Crisafulli said because of Labor’s addiction to tax, the price of Queensland timber products will rise across the board.

“Whether you’re using Queensland timber to build a deck, a cubby house or a kitchen table – because of Labor it will now cost more,’ Mr Crisafulli said.

“This government is that incompetent their waste strategy will reduce recycling and increase the cost for Queensland timber.

“Labor doesn’t care about reducing waste, for them it’s all about increasing revenue.

“It’s a triple-whammy punishing the environment, timber workers and families buying wood from their local hardware store.”

Shadow Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Forestry Tony Perrett hit out at the Premier, as locals are forced to weigh up their future.

“Hundreds of jobs are under threat all because of Labor.

“Jobs will now be lost and sawdust that would have been recycling will instead be dumped, solely because Labor is addicted to spending.”

“Annastacia Palaszczuk sat around the Bligh Labor government table when they sold off our plantations,” Mr Perrett said.

“And now she’s attacking the industry again with the waste tax and refusal to sign the regional forest agreement.

“There are 10,000 unemployed workers in this region and Labor is hell bent on shutting down its timber industry.