FORESTRY —
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
1146. Hon
Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the Minister for Forestry:
I refer to the Minister for
Forestry's media statement of 2 November 2022 announcing applications
for a small business development and diversification program opened on 4
November 2022 and will close on 31 January 2023.
(1) What is the
projected processing time frame from the lodgement of an application to the
payment of a grant to the affected forestry-reliant businesses?
(2) Who
determined the assessment weighting of 30 per cent for creating new or
protecting existing jobs in the assessment criteria eligibility for funding,
and how was this figure arrived at?
(3) What
immediate financial support will the government provide to forestry-reliant
businesses currently at breaking point and at direct risk of failing?
Hon
DARREN WEST replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Forestry.
(1) Payments will be made within
approximately six to 12 weeks of the grants closing.
(2)–(3) The
McGowan government is committed to ensuring a just transition for workers,
businesses and communities that will be transitioning out of the native timber
industry.
Since the announcement, the
government has provided $80 million in funding for three support programs to
support those affected. This includes $19.3 million to support workers, $26.9 million
for businesses with current Forest Products Commission contracts and a $30 million
industry and community development program.
The small business and development
program is the first part of the $30 million industry and community development
programs that were developed in consultation with the native forest transition
group.
The assessment criteria were
established by government and demonstrate the importance it places on
maintaining jobs in the regions and ensuring money goes to those who have been
most affected by the decision. The criteria include 40 per cent weighting to
businesses that do not have a Forest Products Commission
contract but can demonstrate an impact from the end of native logging, 30 per
cent to creating new or protecting existing jobs, and 30 per cent for
demonstrated alignment with the small business development program objectives
designed by the native forest transition group.