Two independents who could hold balance-of-power positions in Tasmania's new parliament have pledged to fight for an end to native forest logging.
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The island state heads to the polls on March 23 after the Liberal minority government failed to resolve a stand-off with two crossbench independents.
The Liberals have promised to open 40,000 hectares of previously protected native trees for logging if re-elected
The move prompted criticism from major industry body the Tasmanian Forest Products Association, which said the announcement was playing "political football" and not what they had previously discussed with the Liberals.
Veteran environmentalist Bob Brown has flagged increased protest action in opposition to the Liberals' plan.
Incumbent MP Kristie Johnston and former Liberal Sue Hickey were among seven candidates to sign a pledge spruiked by the Australia Institute to end native forestry.
Ms Hickey said she did not want to see a return to the state's "forest wars".
"The scars ... were horrendous," Ms Hickey, who is running for a second time as an independent, said on Friday.
"We had Tasmanians against Tasmanians.
"This culture of rape and pillage ... has got to stop."
Polling indicates neither the Liberals nor Labor, who have been in opposition for a decade, will have enough support to reach the 18 seats required to form majority government.
The Greens, who have two incumbent MPs, want to end native forestry and are hoping to win enough seats to hold a balance-of-power position.
The 40,000ha to be "unlocked" by the Liberals is part of 356,000ha protected under a 2012 deal struck with industry and conservation groups.
The Liberals in 2014 designated the land as a future potential production forest, a move Premier Jeremy Rockliff has previously described as being for a "rainy day".
He told reporters on Friday he would never end native forest logging.
"This is about jobs in regional Tasmania and we make no apologies for supporting sustainable long-term jobs," he said.
The Liberals say the 40,000ha would only be made available to Tasmanian customers.
Both the Liberals and Labor have pledged to extend forestry contracts to 2040, with Labor promising to undertake a review of native and plantation resources.
Ms Johnston would not be drawn on whether she would use the issue as a negotiating tactic.
"I won't do deals, but Tasmanians are speaking out," she said.
"They want action on climate change."
Ms Johnston said a diverse crossbench would be in a powerful position "on a range of issues".
"I would hope in the new parliament ... there is a diverse cross bench which can speak out very loudly about issues Tasmanians are concerned about," she said.
Australian Associated Press
