Rockliff backs minister

ACTING Premier Jeremy Rockliff has thrown his support behind Forestry Minister Paul Harriss, saying he “is doing an outstanding job”.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Mr Harriss’s handling of his forestry ministerial advisory council had been “ham-fisted”, following this week’s resignation of the deputy chairwoman, former Legislative Council president Sue Smith.

Less than a month ago, Mrs Smith made comments in support of Forestry Tasmania being wound up, but Mr Harriss said later the council had “reaffirmed its support, as a group, for the Government’s policy position for retaining Forestry Tasmania as a government business enterprise”.

Mr Green said Mr Harriss wanted Tasmanians to believe Mrs Smith had changed her mind. “No one believes Mr Harriss any more,” he said. “His credibility is in tatters and that’s why he should either resign or be sacked by the Premier.”

But Mr Rockliff dismissed Mr Green’s claims.

“Mr Harriss is doing an outstanding job as Forestry Minister,” Mr Rockliff said.

“He has ripped up the jobdestroying forest deal, stopped the taxpayer subsidies to Forestry Tasmania, ended the illegal workplace invasions and started to rebuild the industry.”

Mr Harriss has said filling the vacancy on the ministerial advisory council is a priority.

Mrs Smith could not be contacted yesterday.