SANDALWOOD HARVEST
499. Hon COLIN HOLT to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to sandalwood harvesting
contracts.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
has issued only a one-year sandalwood harvesting licence to the Forest Products
Commission; and, if not, what is the correct licence time frame?
(2) Can the
minister confirm that the harvesting of sandalwood by native title holders is
now considered part of the 90 per cent crown land allocation?
(3) How will the
government balance the needs of the developing Aboriginal sandalwood companies
with those of the Forest Products Commission?
(4) What concerns
does the minister have if the Forest Products Commission applies for and is
granted a three-year or longer harvesting licence, leaving other sandalwood
harvesting licence holders with limited access to sandalwood, potentially
putting Aboriginal businesses at risk?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and
Attractions has not issued a licence to the Forest Products Commission.
The department of has issued one-year licences to Forest Products Commission
contractors. These are set to expire on 30 June 2019.
(2) This matter is under consideration. The department
is working with stakeholders, including the Forest Products Commission
and Aboriginal groups, on the allocation of the sandalwood resource to ensure a
sustainable sandalwood industry.
(3)–(4) These questions
should be directed to the Minister for Forestry.