NEW
INDUSTRIES FUND
663. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Innovation and
ICT:
I congratulate the
minister on the recent award of more than $19 000 from the new industries fund
to Hemp Squared, a Bridgetown company looking to have hemp blocks
certified for use in social housing.
(1) How much of the $16.7 million committed to the new
industries fund over 2021–25 has been awarded to date?
(2) Have any
other applications been made on behalf of hemp-based industries; and, if so,
how many, and with what level of success?
(3) How is the government advertising the fund to
potential applicants, and how might members of Parliament assist in
promoting it in their own electorates?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) As at July
2022, $4.1 million funding has been awarded.
(2) I table
for the honourable member a list of all awarded applications since 2017,
including for two hemp products in 2022. This information has also been
publicly listed on the new industries fund website.
[See paper 1492.]
(3) The NIF is
advertised on the Western Australian government website www.wa.gov.au/nif, as
well as through e-newsletters, social media
and events. The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation can
prepare a fact sheet for the next round in 2023 to be supplied to members of
Parliament to provide to their constituents.