THE federal government's scheme to lure loggers out of Tasmania is under renewed fire over claims companies are pocketing cash only to resume logging on the mainland.
One logging company was granted $825,000 in exit assistance last year but green groups say it's simply shifted its operations to Gulaga National Park, on the southern NSW coast.
South East Forest Rescue said the government scheme, aimed at downsizing Tasmania's logging industry, was a rort if it allowed loggers to simply pull up stumps and go elsewhere.
It's the latest attack on the government's $17 million exit assistance program which has been hit with allegations of fraud, favouritism and claims some contractors have been left out-of-pocket.
Under the scheme, 29 contractors have been given cash grants to leave Tasmania's native forests, in amounts ranging from $158,049 to a maximum $825,000.
Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig on Thursday said that under ...