❓ Dr. Woollard asks the Premier to support a select committee inquiry into native forest logging costs and benefits, given projected job shortages. The Premier deflects, stating the government will consider a motion if moved, but personally doesn't see the need.
AnsweredQoN 119Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NATIVE FORESTS — LOGGING
I have a supplementary question. Premier, two days ago the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia said we will be 150 000 people short of meeting those projections of 400 000 jobs. Will the Premier support a select committee inquiry into the costs and benefits of logging of our native forests? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I have a supplementary question. Premier, two days ago the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia said we will be 150 000 people short of meeting those projections of 400 000 jobs. Will the Premier support a select committee inquiry into the costs and benefits of logging of our native forests? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
If a motion is moved, then the Parliament will consider that, and the Liberal and National Parties, in their party rooms, will decide whether they think they should support that or not. If the member for Alfred Cove wants an opinion from me speaking as the member for Cottesloe, I do not think it is necessary. However, we would look at any motion on its merits as the Liberal Party and as a government. I do not believe there will be 400 000 additional jobs; there will certainly be very strong employment growth. Also, I think it is wrong to assume—if it is implied by the question—that if 2 500 people were displaced from employment in the native timber industry, somehow they would reappear as iron ore workers in the Pilbara. That is just not going to happen. We would see another major dislocation of towns and workers in the South West, and I do not support that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: If a motion is moved, then the Parliament will consider that, and the Liberal and National Parties, in their party rooms, will decide whether they think they should support that or not. If the member for Alfred Cove wants an opinion from me speaking as the member for Cottesloe, I do not think it is necessary. However, we would look at any motion on its merits as the Liberal Party and as a government. I do not believe there will be 400 000 additional jobs; there will certainly be very strong employment growth. Also, I think it is wrong to assume—if it is implied by the question—that if 2 500 people were displaced from employment in the native timber industry, somehow they would reappear as iron ore workers in the Pilbara. That is just not going to happen. We would see another major dislocation of towns and workers in the South West, and I do not support that.
If a motion is moved, then the Parliament will consider that, and the Liberal and National Parties, in their party rooms, will decide whether they think they should support that or not. If the member for Alfred Cove wants an opinion from me speaking as the member for Cottesloe, I do not think it is necessary. However, we would look at any motion on its merits as the Liberal Party and as a government. I do not believe there will be 400 000 additional jobs; there will certainly be very strong employment growth. Also, I think it is wrong to assume—if it is implied by the question—that if 2 500 people were displaced from employment in the native timber industry, somehow they would reappear as iron ore workers in the Pilbara. That is just not going to happen. We would see another major dislocation of towns and workers in the South West, and I do not support that.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: If a motion is moved, then the Parliament will consider that, and the Liberal and National Parties, in their party rooms, will decide whether they think they should support that or not. If the member for Alfred Cove wants an opinion from me speaking as the member for Cottesloe, I do not think it is necessary. However, we would look at any motion on its merits as the Liberal Party and as a government. I do not believe there will be 400 000 additional jobs; there will certainly be very strong employment growth. Also, I think it is wrong to assume—if it is implied by the question—that if 2 500 people were displaced from employment in the native timber industry, somehow they would reappear as iron ore workers in the Pilbara. That is just not going to happen. We would see another major dislocation of towns and workers in the South West, and I do not support that.
If a motion is moved, then the Parliament will consider that, and the Liberal and National Parties, in their party rooms, will decide whether they think they should support that or not. If the member for Alfred Cove wants an opinion from me speaking as the member for Cottesloe, I do not think it is necessary. However, we would look at any motion on its merits as the Liberal Party and as a government. I do not believe there will be 400 000 additional jobs; there will certainly be very strong employment growth. Also, I think it is wrong to assume—if it is implied by the question—that if 2 500 people were displaced from employment in the native timber industry, somehow they would reappear as iron ore workers in the Pilbara. That is just not going to happen. We would see another major dislocation of towns and workers in the South West, and I do not support that.
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