Fed:Tuckey says sorry for past tolerance of bad forestry policy

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2009
Fed:Tuckey says sorry for past tolerance of bad forestry policy

West Australian MP WILSON TUCKEY says he's sorry he didn't fight hard enough against
policies which allowed dangerous levels of fuel to accumulate in state forests.

In a press statement headed AN APOLOGY FROM WILSON TUCKEY .. the outspoken MP and forestry
minister with the former coalition government .. said he tolerated public policy that
failed to maintain state forests as a safe environment.

He says his fault over the last five years is to have failed to convince the Australian
political establishment that certain public policy driven by the pursuit of minor party
preferences was a recipe for disaster.

He says he unsuccessfully sought the support of both Labor and Liberal state ministers
for a forest hazard reduction program .. which could have involved cutting down some trees.

Mr TUCKEY has been blaming state government policies .. trying to attract green preferences
.. and says a properly regulated forestry industry is the best manager of a forest.

AAP RTV mb/kms/wz

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC TUCKEY (CANBERRA)

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