THE Forest Industry Federation of Western Australia claims Tasmanian Greens Leader Peg Putt has a mistakenly "rosy" view of the forest industry in that state.

Reported in The Advocate

FIFWA executive director Bob Pearce said Ms Putt's view that the forest industry in W A was doing well following the cessation of old-growth logging was incorrect.

"If Peg Putt had taken the trouble to talk to timber industry and timber community people on her rushed and secretive visit to W A, she would have come away with a very different picture of the devastation caused to communities and families by the W A Government's forest policies," Mr Pearce said.

"The rosy picture given to her by green groups and Government officials forced to defend the Government's policy is far removed from the reality."

Mr Pearce said the native timber industry in W A had been reduced to 40 per cent of its previous size and the number of native timber sawmills had been cut from 48 to 13.

He said nearly 900 people directly involved in the industry, or in supplying services to the industry, were registered with the Government program for redundant workers because they had either lost their jobs or expected to.

"This may seem 'less than expected', to use Ms Putt's words (because) the Premier (Geoff Gallop) predicted 1000 direct job losses.

"(However) the Government closed off the scheme in December 2002, which prevented many who lost their jobs after this from applying, and the restricted definitions of eligibility excluded others."

Mr Pearce said the Government estimated there would be 1000 additional indirect job losses while the industry estimated it would be more like 3000.

Ms Putt was unavailable for comment yesterday