❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the adequacy of the $50 million compensation package for the native timber industry following the government's decision to end most native timber harvesting. The Minister's response outlines ongoing development of a transition plan but provides no specific details on compensation allocation.
AnsweredQoN 1108Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIVE FOREST —
LOGGING — TRANSITION PACKAGE
1108. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the government's
announcement of 8 September 2021 on the ending of most native timber harvesting
in Western Australia and the wholly
inadequate $50 million compensation package announced for the hardwood
industry.
(1) How much of the $50 million will
be directed to businesses impacted by the government's changes?
(2) Will Parkside Timber, which has invested heavily
in the industry, as trumpeted by the Minister for Forestry's media release of 3 December 2019, be compensated in part or in full; and, if
not, why not?
(3) How much of the $50 million
package will be paid directly to employees?
(4) How will businesses forced to
exit the industry be compensated?
(5) How was the original figure of $50 million for the
compensation package arrived at, and will the government increase it to
a credible amount?
LOGGING — TRANSITION PACKAGE
1108. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the government's
announcement of 8 September 2021 on the ending of most native timber harvesting
in Western Australia and the wholly
inadequate $50 million compensation package announced for the hardwood
industry.
(1) How much of the $50 million will
be directed to businesses impacted by the government's changes?
(2) Will Parkside Timber, which has invested heavily
in the industry, as trumpeted by the Minister for Forestry's media release of 3 December 2019, be compensated in part or in full; and, if
not, why not?
(3) How much of the $50 million
package will be paid directly to employees?
(4) How will businesses forced to
exit the industry be compensated?
(5) How was the original figure of $50 million for the
compensation package arrived at, and will the government increase it to
a credible amount?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Forestry.
(1)–(4) The
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation is working with the Native
Forestry Transition Group members to develop
a just transition plan, including support programs for workforce and businesses to transition out of the native forest industry. This plan will provide support
to affected workers and businesses, drive
further diversification of local economies and assist in identifying and
securing sustainable job
opportunities. The development of support programs is underway and will be
released at the completion of the just transition plan.
(5) The
government has allocated $50 million for the just transition plan and is
committed to supporting workers, businesses and communities through this
transition.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Forestry.
(1)–(4) The
Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation is working with the Native
Forestry Transition Group members to develop
a just transition plan, including support programs for workforce and businesses to transition out of the native forest industry. This plan will provide support
to affected workers and businesses, drive
further diversification of local economies and assist in identifying and
securing sustainable job
opportunities. The development of support programs is underway and will be
released at the completion of the just transition plan.
(5) The
government has allocated $50 million for the just transition plan and is
committed to supporting workers, businesses and communities through this
transition.
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