❓ Dr. Thomas questions whether the Forest Products Commission's softwood estate development, benefiting from public works exemptions, breaches competition principles and unfairly competes with private enterprises. The Minister defends the investment as crucial for WA's future construction needs, citing past inaction.
AnsweredQoN 1541Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOREST PRODUCTS
COMMISSION — SOFTWOOD PLANTATION ESTATE
1541. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
(1) Given that
private commercial enterprises are not able to claim public works exemptions
from local government planning regulations, is the government reneging on its
commitment to the Competition Principles Agreement?
(2) Does the
development of a public commercial enterprise for profit, such as the Forest
Products Commission's softwood estate, which is competing with private
commercial enterprise for the same purpose, qualify as a public work?
(3) If yes to
(2), why?
COMMISSION — SOFTWOOD PLANTATION ESTATE
1541. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Forestry:
(1) Given that
private commercial enterprises are not able to claim public works exemptions
from local government planning regulations, is the government reneging on its
commitment to the Competition Principles Agreement?
(2) Does the
development of a public commercial enterprise for profit, such as the Forest
Products Commission's softwood estate, which is competing with private
commercial enterprise for the same purpose, qualify as a public work?
(3) If yes to
(2), why?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
Cook Labor government, through its $350 million softwood investment program, is
acting and investing in the future of the state's softwood estate to
ensure that the construction and housing industry in Western Australia will
have the resource that it will require into the future. This investment is
being made following years of inaction under the previous Liberal–National
government. The Forest Products Commission has proceeded in accordance with
appropriate legal advice.
Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
Cook Labor government, through its $350 million softwood investment program, is
acting and investing in the future of the state's softwood estate to
ensure that the construction and housing industry in Western Australia will
have the resource that it will require into the future. This investment is
being made following years of inaction under the previous Liberal–National
government. The Forest Products Commission has proceeded in accordance with
appropriate legal advice.
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