FORESTRY —
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
1118. 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 the 28 October
2022 closure of applications for forestry businesses.
(1) How many applications to access
the transition fund have been lodged by forestry businesses?
(2) How many applications to access
the transition fund have been lodged by forestry workers?
(3) As of 14 November
2022, how much of the $80 million just transition plan has been acquitted to
native forestry businesses?
(4) As of 14 November
2022, how much of the $80 million just transition plan has been acquitted to
native forestry workers?
Hon DARREN
WEST replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the minister representing the
Minister for Forestry, I provide the following answer.
(1)–(4) 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 of 14 November 2022, 61 workers have been paid under the workforce
transition program totalling $1 629 300. As of 11 November, 24
businesses were approved to receive a business transition program payment. The first of the industry and community
development programs small business development and diversification
program has opened and will close on 31 January.