I will let Rex Heathcote comment,an independent and self...

I will let Rex Heathcote comment,an independent and self employed with family and financial committments,you know?--the everyday bloke that believes in a fair days pay for fair days work.
This battler lives and works in the land of ABC,and it is government policies like the major parties--tweedle dee and tweedle dum that have him questioning ---but you be the judge of that

ABC RURAL

Tassie timber industry hopes for aid package

Thursday, 11/02/2010

Tasmania's forest industry is asking for further government assistance today at an industry round table meeting.

Contractors are hoping Tasmania's Resources Minister, David Llewellyn, will offer a financial package to help survive Gunns' planned eight-week shutdown of its Longreach and Triabunna wood chip mills.

Launceston furniture maker, Rex Heathcote, says Tasmania's forest industry has received $50 million in assistance from the Federal Government's Community Forest Agreement since May 2005, while his industry has been undermined by cheaper imports.

"I'd much rather see a vibrant furniture making industry in business in this state than something that was very low commodity price and open to a world market that we'd have nothing to do with. I mean, that's the pulp mill isn't it," he says.

"But this way people get trained and we make the things here from our local materials.

"I think that's a very viable way and an honest way to earn a living."