FORESTRY —
GREENBUSHES
506. Hon DIANE EVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to Brickworks Ltd's
ASX media release of 21 March 2019, ''Property earnings underpin record
first half underlying NPAT'', which outlines the company's
intention to sell its Auswest Timbers Pty Ltd hardwood operations in
Greenbushes.
Will the government take this
opportunity to —
(a) rapidly phase
out native forest logging to protect native forests for their potential
sustainable use by industries such as tourism, recreation and honey production;
their unique value as wildlife habitat; and their significant carbon capture
and storage capacity; and
(b) support
workers directly employed in this industry to retrain and find alternative
employment?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the
question. The following information has been provided by the Minister for
Forestry.
(a) No; the
McGowan government supports the native timber industry and its contribution to
the Western Australian economy.
(b) Not applicable. While the
business is for sale, it continues to operate.