Thursday, 9 February 2023

Timber industry

Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty. Opal Australian Paper’s Maryvale mill has stopped white paper production due to the lack of timber supply. Why are Victorians being forced to buy imported white printing paper instead of supporting 200 regional jobs and a locally made product?

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (14:22): I thank the member for his question and for also asking an important question on manufacturing and the timber industry, and we are supporting them right through as part of our manufacturing statement. That is why we have put through some $200 million in business support and community support, making sure as part of our manufacturing strategy that we help communities and help businesses transition to low-carbon facilities and low-carbon manufacturing. Just last week I made some very important announcements around supporting manufacturers like that one in question. We are going to continue to support manufacturers. We know manufacturing, whether it be in Melbourne, the suburbs or regional Victoria, is a key component of our economy, and we will not stop supporting. That is why we have been through a pandemic, and under this government $13 billion has gone to supporting businesses and workers and keeping people in jobs. It is why the minister for the SEC is doing such good, important work right across regional Victoria.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Ripon is warned. Actually, the member for Ripon can leave the chamber for 1 hour. I am on my feet.

Member for Ripon withdrew from chamber.

Peter Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, on the issue of relevance, the question was very simple to the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty: why are people being forced to buy imported paper when there is a manufacturer here that creates 200 jobs? If he is going to be a Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, I would ask you to actually bring him back to answering the question he has been asked.

The SPEAKER: I think the minister was being relevant to the question that was asked.

Ben CARROLL: I will go back to answering directly, as I was. It is very clear that this is a community and an industry in transition. We have made it very clear, on the back of a range of court rulings, that this is one mill. They are still continuing to produce brown paper, recycling paper and cardboard, and we are actively working with them and supporting them. If the shadow minister would like a briefing and to get further facts and details, I would be happy to take her through our forestry plan. I would be happy to take her through our advanced manufacturing plan and how we are supporting business not only in Melbourne but right through our state, including right through regional Victoria.

Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (14:25): Will the government continue to provide support payments to Reflex paper-line workers until the supply of timber recommences at the Maryvale mill?

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (14:25): We will continue to work with that business like we work with every Victorian business right across our state, whether it be a small business, a small to medium enterprise business or a large business. On this side of the house we are trying to support businesses and make businesses grow and prosper. We know what you stand for on that side of the house: smaller businesses, smaller jobs, the party of –

David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, as you have ruled a number of times, question time is not a time to attack the opposition. The question was very clear: will the government be providing support payments for those workers to keep the mill open, yes or no?

The SPEAKER: I remind members that a point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. The minister will come back to answering the supplementary question.

Ben CARROLL: Thank you, Speaker. Everyone knows when it comes to forestry the product is timber. It is the timber that goes into our basketball courts, it is the timber that goes into our hardwood floors and it is the timber that goes into our paper. Every industry under the Andrews Labor government is supported, whether you are a timber industry, whether you are a manufacturing industry or whether you are a low-carbon industry, and that is what we will continue to do. Those opposite know under this government we are pro business and pro support. It is why we have a manufacturing statement, it is why we have an innovation statement and it is why we are doing everything we can, particularly for businesses that are going through a transition, to support them every step of the way – and a professor should know that.