STANDSTILL: The forest industry is waiting on the outcome of peace talks.
TASMANIA'S powerful Upper House is deadlocked on whether to support the state's historic $378 million forestry peace deal.
After a marathon 13 1/2-hour debate yesterday, MLCs were divided 7-7 as they called it a night about 11pm.
As it stood, seven members had expressed their desire to vote for the forest agreement that the State Government has promised will create a more sustainable future for Tasmania's ailing forest industry.
However, members opposed to the deal are today expected to push for a select committee to look into the legislation, delaying the deal for months and almost certainly scuttling the forest peace agreement.
If the push for a select committee is unsuccessful, the Upper House is expected to start tabling amendments this morning to cover concerns about sovereign risk, future protests and the exact location of proposed reserves.
Nelson MLC Jim Wilkinson or Huon MLC Paul Harriss are expected to call for the Bill to be overlooked by a select committee.
A select committee would not be expected to start until February, sparking fears forest protests will ramp up over the summer and timber company Ta Ann could leave the state.
Federal minister Tony Burke who announced an additional $102 million in federal and state funding for the agreement on Tuesday warned the Upper House members were taking a huge gamble if they were to push for a select committee.
"It's an extraordinary gamble to take with Tasmanian jobs," he said.
"Effectively it's daring a number of businesses to continue to lose millions of dollars or make commercial decisions which would ricochet around the entire industry. From everything I have heard, it's hard to see what the difference is between a delay to February and an outright rejection."
During a fiery debate, Upper House members were split between those who were scathing of the legislation, those who wanted to give peace a chance and those resting somewhere in the middle.
Western Tiers MLC Greg Hall accused Mr Burke and Premier Lara Giddings of scaremongering in briefings on Tuesday afternoon.
He said: "We don't respond to blackmail nor a gun to our head."
His call followed comments by Mr Burke, who said the Upper House had previously requested details of additional funds be presented before members started debating the legislation.
Mr Hall was joined by Nelson MLC Jim Wilkinson, Apsley MLC Tania Rattray, Pembroke MLC Vanessa Goodwin, Windermere MLC Ivan Dean, Huon MLC Paul Harriss and Elwick MLC Adriana Taylor.
All indicated they'd vote against the legislation.
However, Hobart MLC Rob Valentine was the first yesterday to pledge support for the Bill arguing there was no alternative.
Others to pledge their initial support were Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage, Derwent MLC Craig Farrell, Rosevears MLC Kerry Finch, Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest, Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney and Rumney MLC Tony Mulder.
matthew.smith@news.com.au
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