❓ Hon James Hayward questions the Minister for Forestry regarding the allocation of the $50 million native forestry transition fund, specifically querying payments to unions and industry bodies. The Minister provides details of fund allocation, including payments to the AWU, and clarifies why other organisations haven't received funding.
AnsweredQoN 144Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
NATIVE FOREST —
LOGGING — TRANSITION PACKAGE
144. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the native forestry
transition program.
(1) Can the
minister provide details of where the funds from the $50 million transition
fund have been allocated to date?
(2) Is the
minister able to confirm that a payment to a union was considered in
recognition of the work it has done in relation to the native forestry ban?
(3) Is the
minister also considering payments to the Manjimup Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and the Forest Industries Federation Western Australia in recognition
of the work they have done in relation to the native forestry ban?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
LOGGING — TRANSITION PACKAGE
144. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the native forestry
transition program.
(1) Can the
minister provide details of where the funds from the $50 million transition
fund have been allocated to date?
(2) Is the
minister able to confirm that a payment to a union was considered in
recognition of the work it has done in relation to the native forestry ban?
(3) Is the
minister also considering payments to the Manjimup Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and the Forest Industries Federation Western Australia in recognition
of the work they have done in relation to the native forestry ban?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Forestry.
(1) As at 28 February
2022, approved allocation from the $50 million transition fund is $22.264 million,
which includes $19.3 million towards the workforce transition programs; $2.764 million
over two years towards the establishment of
the native forest transition team consisting of the Department of Jobs, T ourism,
Science and Innovation's and the South West Development Commission's
staff based in Bunbury and the lower south
west; and $200 000 worth of funding to the Australian Workers' Union to
support workforce engagement, to provide industrial advice and to
support workers.
(2) It is
important that all workers have access to professional industrial advice and
support through the transition process. The AWU is a registered industrial
representative for the native forest workforce and, as such, is the most
appropriate organisation to provide that advice and support through the
transition. As part of the allocated funding, an agreement for $20 000 has been
signed between the state government and the AWU to assist native forestry
workers throughout the transition. Under the agreement, the AWU is required to
provide this advice and support whether the employee is a union member or not.
The AWU has conducted a broad engagement
support program with workers to provide them with a range of support ,
including face-to-face consultations, industrial advice as well as with
assisting workers with the support package registration process.
(3) No.
(4) No request
for funding has been made.
of the question. The following information has been provided by the Minister
for Forestry.
(1) As at 28 February
2022, approved allocation from the $50 million transition fund is $22.264 million,
which includes $19.3 million towards the workforce transition programs; $2.764 million
over two years towards the establishment of
the native forest transition team consisting of the Department of Jobs, T ourism,
Science and Innovation's and the South West Development Commission's
staff based in Bunbury and the lower south
west; and $200 000 worth of funding to the Australian Workers' Union to
support workforce engagement, to provide industrial advice and to
support workers.
(2) It is
important that all workers have access to professional industrial advice and
support through the transition process. The AWU is a registered industrial
representative for the native forest workforce and, as such, is the most
appropriate organisation to provide that advice and support through the
transition. As part of the allocated funding, an agreement for $20 000 has been
signed between the state government and the AWU to assist native forestry
workers throughout the transition. Under the agreement, the AWU is required to
provide this advice and support whether the employee is a union member or not.
The AWU has conducted a broad engagement
support program with workers to provide them with a range of support ,
including face-to-face consultations, industrial advice as well as with
assisting workers with the support package registration process.
(3) No.
(4) No request
for funding has been made.
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