Timber industry
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:17): (149) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. Minister, your government’s media release on 22 April announcing the upgrade of the St Kilda Pier boasted that ‘Darwin stringybark timber decking’ forms ‘a strong base for the new pier’. Given Darwin stringybark is not grown in plantations and is sourced from the native timber industry of the Top End of Australia, can you explain why you are closing Victoria’s native hardwood timber industry while boasting the use of timbers from the Top End’s native hardwood industry?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:18): It is a bit of a long bow to say the very least, but again my answer does not differ in that we are providing support to the timber industry when they are facing very, very difficult challenges. We have done so for a long time, and the last seven or eight months have been particularly difficult given that there has been a shortage of timber supply. We have made sure that workers have continued to be paid. We have provided industry support. We have made sure that timber communities have been supported and that they have been empowered with the ability to design projects that will assist their communities in the transition. To come in here and rely on a line from a media release that is in the province of a different minister is really ridiculous, and I do not think it is very respectful in regard to the timber industry.
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:19): I thank the minister for her response. Given the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change supports sustainably harvested native timber in construction, will you ensure that in future where Victorian hardwood timber can be used in state construction it is given preference over imported or interstate species?
The PRESIDENT: My problem with the supplementary is that this minister is not responsible for procurement in those sorts of projects.
Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, in terms of what Ms Bath was speaking about, it is supporting sustainably harvested native timber, so that does come under the minister’s purview.
The PRESIDENT: Ms Bath, do you want to have a go at rephrasing your supplementary?
Melina BATH: Minister, what is your policy for state-funded construction in relation to Victorian native hardwood timber over imported or interstate species?
The PRESIDENT: The minister can answer as she sees fit.
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education, Minister for Agriculture) (12:21): I thank the member for the supplementary. The fact of the matter is that that in no way is connected to my portfolio. What is connected to my portfolio is the timber industry, and the mere fact that this question is being asked shows no consideration of where the timber industry is at at the moment. It is in a very difficult situation –
Members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has got a right to be heard in silence. She has had two questions and a ministers statement where she has been interrupted with interjections, and if she wants to take the 30 seconds let us hear her in silence.
Gayle TIERNEY: Again, this government is very much focused on ensuring that there is the reliable support of government in respect of workers in the timber industry and when it comes to the industry as well. We also know that timber communities are incredibly important. We will continue to make sure that we keep a very close eye on what is happening in terms of the legal challenges that are before the industry, and we will also make sure that we will continue to support those that are involved.
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:23): I move:
That the minister’s response to this question be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.
Motion agreed to.