Instead, the Albanese Labor government has trumpeted its confidence in business-as-usual logging, doubling down on the status quo. This decision followed testimony by former first-time federal candidate Jess Teesdale during a live radio interview. Teesdale urged the Tasmanian state government to end logging in native forests. This met a swift and vehement response from a large array of political leaders and industry advocates.
The comments came during an interview on ABC Northern Tasmania’s Your Say Broadcast in Lilydale. At the very least, these comments from Teesdale invited a swift counterattack from her campaign. They reiterated that the federal Labor government will not be reversing its hardened stance against native forestry logging and not interfering in state issues.
Teesdale’s Comments and Clarification
Second in her interview, Teesdale came out strongly for the state government to stop native forest logging —✔ Gary Teylor/Fairfax. This short clarification created quite a stir, since it was a departure from the party’s long-held commitment to punitive policies. Teesdale spoke pointedly to the current contentious atmosphere. She went on to make it clear that, “The Albanese Labor government is not shifting from its policy of supporting the continuation of native forestry logging.”
She made sure to articulate that the federal government is not trying to infringe on state’s authority. It will not be about overriding the decisions that Tasmania has made. This has been a major bone of contention, especially among forestry industry stakeholders.
Nick Steel, chief executive of the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA), called Teesdale’s remarks a “blunder”. He noted that even this experience represented important education for a rookie recruit. She raised the important point of the need for communication, on what it means to be a Democrat.
“We all make mistakes. There’s no doubt about that, and certainly Jess made a mistake on that one.” – Nick Steel
Industry Response and Political Fallout
The TFPA calls on all the big federal political parties to make a commitment to the Regional Forestry Agreement. This critical agreement has existed since the all-powerful Tasmanian Liberal Government came to power. This Memorandum seeks to ensure that environmental concerns are addressed while providing the industry with the certainty and stability it needs to thrive.
Bridget Archer, the Liberal MP for Bass, has publicly condemned Teesdale. She hammered her on how she had been less than honest with the public on disclosure of her personal opinions. For Archer leadership means integrity – integrity in public life, and integrity of a representative to believe what they say and stand firm on issues their voters care about.
“I think people have an expectation, and an ever-increasing expectation for integrity in public life.” – Bridget Archer
The Bob Brown Foundation praised Teesdale’s first remarks, saying they reflected the thinking of a majority of Labor supporters. Polling commissioned by the Australia Institute found that 79% of Labor voters support outlawing native forest logging. That indicates a pretty deep gap between where party leadership is at and where the grassroots are.
Yet, the situation was one that political opponents immediately began using as an opportunity to attack the Labor Party’s environmental record. Nick McKim remarked, “Anthony Albanese has stomped on his Bass candidate by intervening after she admitted she doesn’t support native forest logging in Tasmania.” He denounced Teesdale’s remarks as just an expression of true beliefs, not a slip of the tongue.
The Broader Implications
This event has given fresh legs to a long-running feud within the Australian Labor Party over the party’s environmental policy platform and forest management practices. As a first-time candidate, Teesdale’s comments may reflect broader divisions within the party about how to approach these contentious issues.
Julie Collins offered a more forgiving view of Teesdale’s situation, stating, “This is a young, first-time candidate … she made a mistake, she’s owned it.” Collins recommended that this type of experience be made available for Teesdale, as she begins to chart her own political career.
Nick McKim went on to explain that the Labor response was an example of how to repress dissent within the ranks. Mr Bhatti concluded, “The PM has for years ignored and overridden his environment minister on national environment laws. Now he’s silencing dissent on forests in Tasmania.” This troubling sentiment reflects a broader frustration from members within the party about the leadership’s approach to environmental priorities.
