❓ Hon Sophia Moermond questions the Minister for Forestry regarding the allocation and use of $151 million for ecological thinning operations in South West forests, seeking a detailed breakdown of expenditure and transparency in financial reporting. The Minister provides some clarification on the allocation and oversight.
AnsweredQoN 2219Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the $151
million allocated over 3.5 years for ecological thinning operations in South
West forests that was announced in December 2023, noting that $21 million had
been initially allocated for these operations up to June 2024 in the
government’s mid-year financial projections, and I ask: (a) could the Minister confirm the total amount allocated over the 3.5-year period; (b) could the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of the $21 million for ecological thinning up to June 2024, including a list of businesses, agencies, or bodies that have received funding; (c) has any portion of the $21 million been used to support on-the-ground businesses in diversifying machinery for ecological thinning practices or handling the end-product timber; (d) how is the Government ensuring the efficient use of these funds; and (e) would the Government consider publishing quarterly financial statements to show how the funding has been spent?
million allocated over 3.5 years for ecological thinning operations in South
West forests that was announced in December 2023, noting that $21 million had
been initially allocated for these operations up to June 2024 in the
government’s mid-year financial projections, and I ask: (a) could the Minister confirm the total amount allocated over the 3.5-year period; (b) could the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of the $21 million for ecological thinning up to June 2024, including a list of businesses, agencies, or bodies that have received funding; (c) has any portion of the $21 million been used to support on-the-ground businesses in diversifying machinery for ecological thinning practices or handling the end-product timber; (d) how is the Government ensuring the efficient use of these funds; and (e) would the Government consider publishing quarterly financial statements to show how the funding has been spent?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 November 2024
Responded by
Minister for Forestry
Response time
10 days
(a) $151 million over four years.
(b) From the available budget of $21 million, $11.4 million was drawn down from the Treasurers Special Purpose Account to cover the costs for ecological thinning. This included costs for the contractors who undertook the ecological thinning activities and of the Forest Products Commission (FPC) for the year to June 2024.
(c) Yes.
(d) The FPC undertakes ecological thinning for forest health on behalf of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) who plan and monitor the ecological thinning activities.
(e) The FPC is audited by the Office of the Auditor General each year and publishes the financial statements in an Annual Report, tabled in Parliament.
(b) From the available budget of $21 million, $11.4 million was drawn down from the Treasurers Special Purpose Account to cover the costs for ecological thinning. This included costs for the contractors who undertook the ecological thinning activities and of the Forest Products Commission (FPC) for the year to June 2024.
(c) Yes.
(d) The FPC undertakes ecological thinning for forest health on behalf of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) who plan and monitor the ecological thinning activities.
(e) The FPC is audited by the Office of the Auditor General each year and publishes the financial statements in an Annual Report, tabled in Parliament.
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