Both Labor and the coalition pledged $20 million in emergency assistance funding to Tasmanian forestry contractors, who are struggling through an industry-wide downturn.
Mr Wilkie is set to meet with Caretaker Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Coalition Leader Tony Abbott in coming days as both leaders try to form a minority government.
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Mr Wilkie said he would use the meetings to ask for the funding before the government is formed.
A statement from Mr Wilkie said Ms Gillard should release the funds immediately "because of the urgency of the contractors' need".
Forestry contractors have been meeting with unions and environmental groups in round table discussions about the future of the industry.
A leak draft negotiation paper this week suggested environmentalists may even be prepared to support a pulp mill, in return for a cessation of logging in native forests.
