❓ The WA Leader of the Opposition questions the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry about government assurances given to Harvey Beef employees amidst financial problems. The Minister clarifies the assurances related to relocation and training assistance in case of redundancies, expresses confidence in Harvey Beef's future profitability, and downplays potential public costs.
AnsweredQoN 498Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the financial problems confronting Harvey Beef. (1) Will the minister explain what assurances he gave to the employees of Harvey Beef, as reported in the media? (2) Does the minister have an estimate of the potential public cost of his assurances under a worst-case scenario; and, if so, what would that cost be? (3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(1) Will the minister explain what assurances he gave to the employees of Harvey Beef, as reported in the media? (2) Does the minister have an estimate of the potential public cost of his assurances under a worst-case scenario; and, if so, what would that cost be? (3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(2) Does the minister have an estimate of the potential public cost of his assurances under a worst-case scenario; and, if so, what would that cost be? (3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(1) Will the minister explain what assurances he gave to the employees of Harvey Beef, as reported in the media? (2) Does the minister have an estimate of the potential public cost of his assurances under a worst-case scenario; and, if so, what would that cost be? (3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(2) Does the minister have an estimate of the potential public cost of his assurances under a worst-case scenario; and, if so, what would that cost be? (3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(3) Is it the minister’s understanding that Harvey Beef can trade profitably? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
I appreciate the honourable Leader of the Opposition giving me some notice of the question. (1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(1) Although I am not aware of the content of the media reports, I can say that I gave workers assurances that the government would ensure that employees are provided with relocation and training assistance in the event that there are redundancies at E.G. Green and Sons. However, both I and the administrator, on a different occasion, indicated that it was not expected that there would be a significant number of redundancies at the plant. (2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(2) No, I have not, but given that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of redundancies, costs of assistance for relocation and training are not likely to be prohibitive. (3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
(3) Given the current confidence in the processing sector and the strong market conditions existing in the beef industry, I am confident that a sustainable and commercial resolution will be found and that Harvey Beef will trade profitably.
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