❓ The government outlines its plan to protect forest industry jobs following the decision to stop logging old-growth forests, including financial assistance packages and addressing federal funding delays for business exits.
AnsweredQoN 2Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FOREST INDUSTRY, JOB PROTECTION
What is the Government doing to protect forest industry jobs as a result of the decision to stop logging in the State’s old-growth forests? Mr BROWN
What is the Government doing to protect forest industry jobs as a result of the decision to stop logging in the State’s old-growth forests? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Labor Party came to government with a commitment to stop logging in old-growth forests. That policy reflects what members on this side of the House believe is the community’s desire regarding protection of our environment. The Labor Party also undertook to provide assistance to people employed in the timber industry to ensure they do not suffer unduly from changes in this industry. During the election campaign, members on this side made a commitment to a $57 million package. The Government has also recently announced a $1.4 million package to help the Nannup timber mill and to safeguard the jobs of its 54 workers. The assistance package will help the company set up an integrated processing plant and thus shift its focus from simply sawmilling to more diverse operations. Part of the funding will enable machinery to be relocated to assist in value adding. These changes will allow the company to retrain its existing work force in value-adding activities. Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Labor Party came to government with a commitment to stop logging in old-growth forests. That policy reflects what members on this side of the House believe is the community’s desire regarding protection of our environment. The Labor Party also undertook to provide assistance to people employed in the timber industry to ensure they do not suffer unduly from changes in this industry. During the election campaign, members on this side made a commitment to a $57 million package. The Government has also recently announced a $1.4 million package to help the Nannup timber mill and to safeguard the jobs of its 54 workers. The assistance package will help the company set up an integrated processing plant and thus shift its focus from simply sawmilling to more diverse operations. Part of the funding will enable machinery to be relocated to assist in value adding. These changes will allow the company to retrain its existing work force in value-adding activities. Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Labor Party came to government with a commitment to stop logging in old-growth forests. That policy reflects what members on this side of the House believe is the community’s desire regarding protection of our environment. The Labor Party also undertook to provide assistance to people employed in the timber industry to ensure they do not suffer unduly from changes in this industry. During the election campaign, members on this side made a commitment to a $57 million package. The Government has also recently announced a $1.4 million package to help the Nannup timber mill and to safeguard the jobs of its 54 workers. The assistance package will help the company set up an integrated processing plant and thus shift its focus from simply sawmilling to more diverse operations. Part of the funding will enable machinery to be relocated to assist in value adding. These changes will allow the company to retrain its existing work force in value-adding activities. Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Labor Party came to government with a commitment to stop logging in old-growth forests. That policy reflects what members on this side of the House believe is the community’s desire regarding protection of our environment. The Labor Party also undertook to provide assistance to people employed in the timber industry to ensure they do not suffer unduly from changes in this industry. During the election campaign, members on this side made a commitment to a $57 million package. The Government has also recently announced a $1.4 million package to help the Nannup timber mill and to safeguard the jobs of its 54 workers. The assistance package will help the company set up an integrated processing plant and thus shift its focus from simply sawmilling to more diverse operations. Part of the funding will enable machinery to be relocated to assist in value adding. These changes will allow the company to retrain its existing work force in value-adding activities. Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Labor Party came to government with a commitment to stop logging in old-growth forests. That policy reflects what members on this side of the House believe is the community’s desire regarding protection of our environment. The Labor Party also undertook to provide assistance to people employed in the timber industry to ensure they do not suffer unduly from changes in this industry. During the election campaign, members on this side made a commitment to a $57 million package. The Government has also recently announced a $1.4 million package to help the Nannup timber mill and to safeguard the jobs of its 54 workers. The assistance package will help the company set up an integrated processing plant and thus shift its focus from simply sawmilling to more diverse operations. Part of the funding will enable machinery to be relocated to assist in value adding. These changes will allow the company to retrain its existing work force in value-adding activities. Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Prior to our coming to government, a scheme dealing with the first or second version of the Regional Forest Agreement was established involving a number of components, including one relating to business exits. Even the revised RFA would have seen a number of producers ceasing their operations. That scheme involves commonwealth and state funding and a joint process to assess applications. A number of companies have applied for business exits under the scheme and have sought payment. Unfortunately, the federal Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Wilson Tuckey, has refused to honour the conditions of that scheme and to release federal funds. Companies that want to exit the industry to preserve timber - that is, those that want to exercise their options under that scheme - are not able to do so because of Wilson Tuckey’s belligerent attitude. I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
I hope that all members in this House agree there is a need to protect old-growth forests of high conservation value. I ask them to call on Minister Tuckey and encourage him to release the federal funds so that those companies that wish to exit the industry can do so. If he were to do so, he would be honouring the Federal Government’s commitment. I hope that members opposite will take the opportunity when they next see the minister to remind him of his obligation and to tell him that - Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: Are you still answering the question or making a speech? Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: He does not like it! Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: I find it boring. Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: The Leader of the Opposition will have to put up with it for four years! A member of the previous Government would often say, “I had to listen to this for eight long years.” He now has four long years to go. More importantly, my voice will improve and he will have to hear it a few more times. Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr Barnett: What about the content? That will be the challenge for you. Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
Mr BROWN: I am pleased that the Leader of the Opposition made that interjection, because it gave me a great opportunity to make that comment. Fortunately, he will have to listen to much more.
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