Need for rational debate
NEED FOR RATIONAL DEBATE
MEDIA RELEASE: Anthony Albanese – 12 November 2004
Between Monday and Wednesday of this week I visited Tasmania as part of my ongoing consultations with respect to Labor’s forestry policy.
While in Tasmania, my meetings included:
• The Minister for the Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, the Honourable Bryan Green MHA;
• The Minister for the Environment, the Honourable Judy Jackson MHA;
• The President – David O’Byrne – and Secretary – David Price – of the Tasmania Branch of the ALP;
• Unions Tasmania;
• Conservation groups;
• Other senior ALP and union officials.
I also undertook an extensive tour of the Styx Valley with Timber Workers for Forests.
I was genuinely pleased by the constructive approach taken by all the individuals and groups that I met with. Their comments and advice have given me great hope that there can be a lasting solution to the forestry issue in Tasmania which delivers positive economic, employment and environmental outcomes for the entire Tasmanian community.
I have no intention of engaging in a personal slanging match with Dick Adams. In my experience, people who engage in offensive vitriol and name calling do so because they have no argument of substance to rely on.