NATIVE FOREST — LOGGING — TRANSITION
PACKAGE
1213. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the Western Australian
government's $80 million Just Transition Plan for the timber industry
to provide support to native forestry workers and businesses, and to the 28 October
2022 closure date for applications for forestry businesses.
(1) As at 14 November,
what was the balance of the $80 million Just Transition Plan?
(2) What is the
current total level of funding for the Collie transition package, and how does
this compare with the $80 million for the timber industry?
(3) Does the
government's disparity in support reflect the voting patterns in Collie
versus the timber industry?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The Minister for Forestry has provided the following information.
(1) The $80 million
native forestry transition plan includes $19.3 million towards the workforce
transition plan, $26.9 million for the business transition plan and $30 million
for the industry and community development
programs. As at 14 November 2022, 61 workers had been paid under the workforce
transition program, totalling $1 629 300. As at 11 November, 24
businesses had been approved to receive a business transition program payment
and had been sent letters of offer totalling $21 616 960. The first of the industry
community development programs, the small business development and
diversification program, has opened and will close on 31 January 2023.
(2) This question
should be referred to the Minister for Regional Development.
(3) In addition
to the $80 million native forestry transition plan, the state government has
also committed $350 million to grow plantation forestry.