THE foreshadowed select committee into timber exports will be further broadened to include investment barriers, long-term timber supply and domestic manufacturing issues if amendments proposed by SA-Best are supported at today’s vote.
SA-Best parliamentarian Frank Pangallo will seek to insert another clause in Labor’s motion which, if supported, will provide the parliamentary committee power to inquire into and report on opportunities to strengthen the forest and timber products industries.
In particular, opportunities to grow plantations as well as strategies available to processors to secure long-term timber contracts and grow domestic manufacturing, will be targeted under the proposed changes.
Opportunities to maximise returns for processors from forest and timber residues will also be put under the spotlight.
The original motion, which will be moved by Labor Shadow Forestry Minister Clare Scriven, seeks to investigate the exporting of wood fibre, with particular reference to volume, supply agreements and options for increasing the availability of logs to South Australian processors.
The committee will also investigate whether the exports of wood fibre is in compliance with the conditions of sale of the Radiata Pine Forests, which is noted as being “sold by the previous State Labor Government” in Ms Scriven’s motion.
Ms Scriven’s office confirmed the party will support Mr Pangallo’s amendment when the motion is voted on.
The Greens, who earlier this week confirmed the party’s two upper house representatives would vote in favour of the motion, will also throw their support behind the changes.
The fifth and final Legislative Council crossbencher, Advance SA’s John Darley has not committed to supporting it, with his office saying the flagged changes would require further consideration.
The motion will pass with the support of the eight member Labor Party, the two Greens and two SA-Best parliamentarians.
Despite the likely success without the Liberals, Ms Scriven demanded the Marshall Government show its support for forestry and back the committee.
“Measures to strengthen the industry, such as the establishment of this committee, should be supported and it is very disappointing the Marshall Liberal Government is letting the South East down,” she said.
“The local community and many within the industry want this committee to happen.
“Even the Member for MacKillop stated in his speech that he supports the motion, despite ultimately failing to follow through, when he voted against it.”
Ms Scriven said the South Australian Timber Processors Association has also backed the select committee, with chief executive David Quill writing to MPs urging them to support the committee.
“The association is concerned about the volume of logs being exported and the lack of continuity of supply of raw material to the region’s timber processors,” Mr Quill’s letter says.
“The lack of supply to our processors is restricting potential growth at our processing facilities as well as restricting investment in our region, bolstering our economy and creating further job opportunities.”
