❓ Question regarding Gunns Timber Products' withdrawal from the WA timber industry and the government's response to minimise the impact and ensure a viable future for the industry. The Minister outlines actions taken to find a buyer for Gunns' assets and support the affected community.
AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GUNNS TIMBER PRODUCTS — WITHDRAWAL FROM WA TIMBER INDUSTRY
My question is in relation to the news that Gunns Timber Products down south in Manjimup has announced that it is going to withdraw from the timber industry in Western Australia. (1) Can the minister please tell us what he has been doing in his own electorate to minimise the impact of this decision? (2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN
My question is in relation to the news that Gunns Timber Products down south in Manjimup has announced that it is going to withdraw from the timber industry in Western Australia. (1) Can the minister please tell us what he has been doing in his own electorate to minimise the impact of this decision? (2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(1) Can the minister please tell us what he has been doing in his own electorate to minimise the impact of this decision? (2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(1) Can the minister please tell us what he has been doing in his own electorate to minimise the impact of this decision? (2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(2) What is being done to ensure that we will have a viable industry into the future? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question and his interest in what is proving to be quite a challenging set of circumstances for a community that has been through a huge change and a huge shift over the past decade. Just before I respond to the question—they may have gone—on behalf of the Leader of the National Party, I would like to acknowledge the principal and students of St Mary’s Primary School in Merredin; it is great to see them up in the big city and checking out this wonderful place and the heart of democracy in Western Australia. Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr P.B. Watson : It’s the only way they can see their local member! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! I am glad you are all in such good humour; it makes it easier. The minister has the call. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I did note that, on their exit, every single one of them waved to their local member because they knew exactly who he was. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : I will respond to the question. (1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
(1)–(2) I confirm that, indeed, about a week and a half ago I met with senior executives from Gunns Ltd, which has made the decision to exit the native harvest business that it has in Manjimup—namely, from Deanmill, which is the timber mill, and also its processing facility based in Manjimup. I have visited Manjimup on a number of occasions—obviously, as the local member that is a reasonably regular occurrence—but particularly so over the past week and half or so during this time to try to support the community in some of the challenges it faces. My primary objective is to seek a buyer for the Gunns assets so that it can come in and carry on the business, and obviously to maintain the 105 or so jobs that that business supports in the town. Also, on Monday afternoon I invited the Minister for Regional Development to go down and look over the Gunns facilities and to also talk to a range of community representatives from Timber Communities Australia and the local chamber of commerce and shire and to look at some of the options for the medium to long term. Not only are we responding to the more acute challenges that are there, such as the challenges I face as Minister for Forestry to try to assist with finding another purchaser, but also we are looking at the business opportunities that present in that town in the medium to long term. It was certainly good to go down and meet with a group that has a long-term focus and a passion for the industry in its community and wants to see its community thrive going forward. We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
We have responded at two levels. Firstly, we have set up a coordinating committee to coordinate all the respective community support services for people who may well lose their jobs or be made redundant as a result of this decision. A community information support centre has been based in town; it is a one-stop shop as part of the response. Secondly, I have set up a task force to assist me in the process should there be a buyer to take over that business. Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
Gunns has a range of reasons for the decision that it has made, not the least of which, I am sure, is the recent decision at a national level to exit native forestry. I think that was clearly one of the reasons that contributed to its decision to get out of the assets in Manjimup. From my perspective, I strongly support the native forest industry in Western Australia. I support devising a new forest management plan to give security to the businesses operating in the south west going forward, and, to that end, working closely with the Minister for Environment. For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
For the short term it is business as usual in the south west, but Gunns has told me that it will make a decision on Deanmill by the end of November, which is not that far away. I am hoping that we will be in a position to land an outcome with some other players perhaps coming into that space, but that will be a challenge. This government has responded at a community level and at a business level, and it is also supporting whatever medium to long-term opportunities that that community might face, which is why the Minister for Regional Development came down with me on Monday.
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