❓ Hon. Darren West questions the Minister for Regional Development about the establishment of a new trade office for the agrifood sector, including its opening date, staffing, budget, and coordination with other government departments. The response provides details on the office's structure, budget, and planned collaboration.
AnsweredQoN 212Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT — TRADE OFFICE —
AGRIFOOD
212. Hon DARREN WEST to the minister
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I note the Minister for Housing is
not here, so I hope someone has an answer.
I refer to the Minister for Regional Development's
media statement of 3 March regarding the establishment of a trade office to the
agrifood sector.
(1) When will the new trade office
open and where will it be located?
(2) Who will head
up the trade office, how many staff will be employed in the office and what
role will each of them carry out?
(3) What is the budget allocation
for the trade office in —
(a) the current
financial year; and
(b) the 2016–17
financial year?
(4) Given the
establishment of a special agriculture unit within the Department of State
Development to focus on international trade development, in what way will the
work of the trade office differ?
(5) What formal
working arrangement, if any, has been put in place between the new trade
office, the Department of Agriculture and Food, and the special agriculture unit
within the Department of State Development; and, if none, why not?
AGRIFOOD
212. Hon DARREN WEST to the minister
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I note the Minister for Housing is
not here, so I hope someone has an answer.
I refer to the Minister for Regional Development's
media statement of 3 March regarding the establishment of a trade office to the
agrifood sector.
(1) When will the new trade office
open and where will it be located?
(2) Who will head
up the trade office, how many staff will be employed in the office and what
role will each of them carry out?
(3) What is the budget allocation
for the trade office in —
(a) the current
financial year; and
(b) the 2016–17
financial year?
(4) Given the
establishment of a special agriculture unit within the Department of State
Development to focus on international trade development, in what way will the
work of the trade office differ?
(5) What formal
working arrangement, if any, has been put in place between the new trade
office, the Department of Agriculture and Food, and the special agriculture unit
within the Department of State Development; and, if none, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for
Housing representing the Minister for Regional Development, I thank the
honourable member for the question.
(1) No date has
been set for the opening of the office. The Department of Regional Development
is engaging the Department of Finance's Building Management and Works
to investigate suitable accommodation options to house the office in Perth. It
is expected that the office will open in the second half of 2016.
(2) The office
governance structure will be supported by a steering group. Its membership
includes the directors general of Regional Development, Agriculture and Food,
and State Development, and the steering group will report to the minister. A
general manager will be appointed to lead the office and will be supported by
six additional full-time equivalent positions skilled in investment promotion,
facilitation, project management and stakeholder engagement.
(3) (a) Nil for 2015–16.
(b) It is $2.7
million in 2016–17.
(4) The proposed
strategies and activities of the office will be to ensure that there are better
informed investors, investment opportunities, investment facilitation, and
investment environment. Thus there is a clear focus on investment and this will
link with and collaborate closely with the trade component. The Department of
State Development will be represented on the steering committee to ensure
effective working linkages.
(5) Refer to the governance structure
outlined in (2).
Housing representing the Minister for Regional Development, I thank the
honourable member for the question.
(1) No date has
been set for the opening of the office. The Department of Regional Development
is engaging the Department of Finance's Building Management and Works
to investigate suitable accommodation options to house the office in Perth. It
is expected that the office will open in the second half of 2016.
(2) The office
governance structure will be supported by a steering group. Its membership
includes the directors general of Regional Development, Agriculture and Food,
and State Development, and the steering group will report to the minister. A
general manager will be appointed to lead the office and will be supported by
six additional full-time equivalent positions skilled in investment promotion,
facilitation, project management and stakeholder engagement.
(3) (a) Nil for 2015–16.
(b) It is $2.7
million in 2016–17.
(4) The proposed
strategies and activities of the office will be to ensure that there are better
informed investors, investment opportunities, investment facilitation, and
investment environment. Thus there is a clear focus on investment and this will
link with and collaborate closely with the trade component. The Department of
State Development will be represented on the steering committee to ensure
effective working linkages.
(5) Refer to the governance structure
outlined in (2).
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