❓ The Minister addresses concerns regarding the financial collapse of Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp, outlining the government's actions to assist affected communities and businesses in the South West and Great Southern regions, including establishing a working group and providing support services.
AnsweredQoN 516Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GREAT SOUTHERN LTD AND TIMBERCORP
The financial collapse of Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp has caused a great deal of anxiety for many people, particularly in the south west and great southern regions. Can the minister update the house on the current situation for the two companies and what the government is doing to assist those affected? Mr D.T. REDMAN
The financial collapse of Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp has caused a great deal of anxiety for many people, particularly in the south west and great southern regions. Can the minister update the house on the current situation for the two companies and what the government is doing to assist those affected? Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question and for his interest in this matter. He certainly shares the concerns of a number of people in the south west and great southern about the far-reaching impacts of the collapse of both Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp on a range of activities within those communities. Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question and for his interest in this matter. He certainly shares the concerns of a number of people in the south west and great southern about the far-reaching impacts of the collapse of both Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp on a range of activities within those communities. Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question and for his interest in this matter. He certainly shares the concerns of a number of people in the south west and great southern about the far-reaching impacts of the collapse of both Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp on a range of activities within those communities. Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question and for his interest in this matter. He certainly shares the concerns of a number of people in the south west and great southern about the far-reaching impacts of the collapse of both Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp on a range of activities within those communities. Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for the question and for his interest in this matter. He certainly shares the concerns of a number of people in the south west and great southern about the far-reaching impacts of the collapse of both Great Southern Ltd and Timbercorp on a range of activities within those communities. Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Members will be aware that Timbercorp recently went into voluntary administration, and that Great Southern Ltd has also gone into administration and receivership. Timbercorp has some 6 000 hectares of freehold plantations, 30 000 hectares of leasehold plantations and about 200 hectares of avocado plantation in the Busselton area. Great Southern Ltd has some 45 000 hectares of freehold plantation, 15 000 hectares of leasehold plantation, 800 hectares of vineyards and 2 000 hectares of olive trees. These are significant investment activities on the ground from a farming perspective, and a range of businesses are supported by these industries, including harvesting contractors and various other contractors. Many communities are also supported by the activities of these businesses. The issues are clearly very complex and it will take some time to sort out arrangements to a point at which investors, people with leasehold arrangements and businesses that are supported by these industries can have some certainty. It will take time, and those communities and investors will need to be patient. I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
I met with the administrators of Timbercorp last week, and with the receivers of Great Southern Ltd only a couple of hours ago. I sought to maintain a close level of communication with both groups to ensure that when any decisions are made by either group, the government will be in a position to understand what is happening and thus make decisions about appropriate responses to try to cushion the impact on those communities. Although there was a fair amount of confidential discussion with the administrators of Timbercorp and the receivers for Great Southern Ltd, it is pleasing to know that the harvesting activities of both companies are still active, which means that the various contractors involved are still in a position of employment, and that there is still a certain amount of timber and chip being shipped out. It is pleasing to the extent that a certain amount of business activity is still happening. There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
There is a degree of uncertainty for leaseholders, investors and shire councils. Great Southern Ltd owns some 90 properties in the Shire of Plantagenet and the rates on these properties are due to be paid very soon. This will potentially mean some $250 000 of exposure for the Shire of Plantagenet. In the case of Timbercorp, the amount of potential exposure to the shire is $50 000. The impacts reach far and wide. The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The Minister for Regional Development and I have set up a working group based within the Great Southern Development Commission to be the eyes and ears of the government and to gain a better understanding of the localised impact of the collapse of these companies. The focus of a lot of activity has been on the great southern region, and that is where the greatest impact is likely to be. It is also understood that there will be impacts in the south west region. A significant proportion of the Australia-wide investment by the two companies sits in Western Australia, so Western Australia will wear the lion’s share of the impact. In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
In addition to setting up that support group, other support services will be offered to cushion the communities and help people who have lost their jobs or been retrenched as a result of these arrangements. There is an assistance help line available to anyone across Western Australia, and we are promoting access to it for people in the great southern and south west regions. Support from Centrelink will be available in the form of financial counselling and training opportunities. Recently, I highlighted — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is a very important issue for these communities. I am sure that the communities want to know that the government understands their issues and concerns and will make decisions that will support those communities. The Treasurer has made a decision to provide $50 000 to the small business centres in Manjimup and Albany to assist the small businesses that are impacted on by this development. It is pleasing to see that level of support. That assistance will be promoted to those various communities. I acknowledge the uncertainty that exists. We are working very closely with the administrators and receivers in both cases and also with those communities to try to understand the impact that this is having on them. The plantation forestry assets — Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Although there is a fair amount of concern about the business structures that are in place, the plantation forestry assets, I am told, are world-class assets. There is still a demand for that product. I am sure that although there will be a fair amount of time to reach a resolution on the business issues — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Warnbro, I was listening earlier today when you said that you thought you might have been interjecting too much. You certainly have interjected once too much on this occasion. I formally call you for the first time. I am interested in the information that the Minister for Agriculture and Food is providing to the house, but I ask him to hasten to the end. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will finish my answer. I highlight that the plantation resources and assets are sound. I am very confident that in time—it may be six, 12 or 18 months—we will have a strong plantation timber industry in the south west and great southern.
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