NATIVE FOREST — LOGGING — TRANSITION
PACKAGE — AUSTRALIAN WORKERS' UNION
202. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the member representing the
Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the minister's
decision to transfer $200 000 of taxpayer funds to the Australian Workers'
Union.
(1) Is there a requirement
for the AWU to provide an acquittal report outlining exactly where and how the
$200 000 of taxpayer money has been spent, including how many non-union members
were supported?
(2) If no to (1), why not; if yes, will
the minister table the report?
(3) Is the
minister concerned there may be a perception that the AWU may be compromised in
its ability to independently advocate for forestry workers in negotiations with
the government, when the government has funded the AWU to do so?
(4) In the
interests of assuring Western Australian taxpayers that the payment to the AWU
was appropriate, will the minister table the contract and any other documents
outlining the terms upon which the $200 000 was awarded to the AWU; and, if
not, why not?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
The member and I expect similar
questions about assistance given to various chambers of commerce from time to
time. The following information has been provided by the Minister for Forestry.
The Department of Jobs, Tourism,
Science and Innovation is unable to answer these questions within the time
frame given. The Minister for Forestry will endeavour to answer by the next
sitting week.