Hon Peter Foss questions the potential contracting out of tree planting operations by the Forest Products Commission (FPC), raising concerns about job losses and the impact on the timber industry in the South West. The Minister responds by stating the FPC is seeking competitive rates and that it's premature to speculate on job losses.

AnsweredQoN 1419Legislative Council
Asked
16 May 2002
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

CALM’S TREE PLANTING OPERATIONS, CONTRACTING OUT
(1) Is the Department of Conservation and Land Management to contract out its tree planting operations for the regeneration of logging coupes? (2) Is this work traditionally carried out by CALM workers? (3) What impact will this have on people currently employed by CALM for that purpose? (4) Will the minister comment on the claim that 36 people, who are members of the Australian Workers Union, will miss out on $300 000 in wages as a result of this decision? (5) How does the Government reconcile this decision, particularly in light of the economic stress in the south west, with its commitment to increase employment in the timber areas? (6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

(1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(2) Is this work traditionally carried out by CALM workers? (3) What impact will this have on people currently employed by CALM for that purpose? (4) Will the minister comment on the claim that 36 people, who are members of the Australian Workers Union, will miss out on $300 000 in wages as a result of this decision? (5) How does the Government reconcile this decision, particularly in light of the economic stress in the south west, with its commitment to increase employment in the timber areas? (6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(3) What impact will this have on people currently employed by CALM for that purpose? (4) Will the minister comment on the claim that 36 people, who are members of the Australian Workers Union, will miss out on $300 000 in wages as a result of this decision? (5) How does the Government reconcile this decision, particularly in light of the economic stress in the south west, with its commitment to increase employment in the timber areas? (6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(4) Will the minister comment on the claim that 36 people, who are members of the Australian Workers Union, will miss out on $300 000 in wages as a result of this decision? (5) How does the Government reconcile this decision, particularly in light of the economic stress in the south west, with its commitment to increase employment in the timber areas? (6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(5) How does the Government reconcile this decision, particularly in light of the economic stress in the south west, with its commitment to increase employment in the timber areas? (6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(6) What is the reason for the decision? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: (1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(1) The Forest Products Commission has responsibility for revegetation works. Obviously Hon Peter Foss knows that because although his question referred to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, it was directed to me. That can be confusing, but it is an FPC responsibility. Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
Hon Peter Foss: CALM workers have been doing it. Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
Hon KIM CHANCE: Yes, the workers have been contracted to the FPC. The FPC has indicated that it is pursuing competitive prices for its karri planting program in recognition that excessive costs in this area would be reflected in higher prices for karri sawlogs and would risk the viability of the restructured karri industry. (2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(2) CALM workers currently undertake this work, and the Forest Products Commission has indicated that this option remains open, subject to CALM meeting competitive rates. (3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(3)-(4) It is premature to speculate on this point prior to the final decision on the tender process. (5)-(6) See (1).
(5)-(6) See (1).

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