SOUTH-EAST FORESTRY INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE

Mr PEGLER (Mount Gambier) (14:23): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer tell the house who are the members of the South-East Forestry Industry Roundtable, who will provide the government advice on the conditions of the forward sale of forest rotations?

An honourable member: That's a Dorothy.

Mr PEGLER: Of course it is.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (14:24): It is interesting, isn't it, that this is the first question I have had in some weeks since this announcement was made on this issue. Members of the opposition have shown zero interest in this issue—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: You know, they cry, we get the crocodile tears—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order, member for Davenport.

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Point of order, Madam Speaker: the Treasurer is alleging the opposition has not asked a question about this issue. The reason is it was put out in a press release.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order there. Treasurer.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The simple fact remains that members opposite, despite their crocodile tears for the people of the South-East, when it comes to questions in this place, have not shown any interest in this issue at all.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: It is good, at least, that the member for Mount Gambier is prepared to stick up for his constituents. Now, as members would be—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: As members would be aware—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Davenport!

Mr Pengilly: You're nearly as bad as Jennifer, Jack.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Finniss, you are warned.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Thank you, ma'am. He is rather uncharitably referred to as Mr Bean, but I think he more represents Edmund Blackadder—the member for Finniss. Nonetheless, as members would be aware, on Tuesday 3 May 2011, I announced the South Australian government's intention to proceed with the proposed forward sale of the ForestrySA plantations. The decision was made following the preparation of a regional impact statement by independent external economic consulting firm ACIL Tasman and an extensive consultation process.

At the time of making the announcement, I advised the house of steps that would be taken to protect the interests of the South-East as a direct result of proceeding with the divestment of the forest rotations. I can now confirm the establishment of the South-East Forestry Industry Roundtable, one of the most important steps that was highlighted on 3 May.

I have already announced that the round table will be chaired by Mr Trevor Smith, who has represented the forest and forest products industry, employees and communities in several roles for over 35 years. He was the former national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. I can now inform the house of the other members of the round table.

Firstly, Mr Mark Braes is currently chairperson of Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast. He was a former mayor and councillor of the Wattle Range Council. Mr Chris Peterson is currently the CEO of Gunns Timber Products based in Launceston, Tasmania. Mr Peterson has 35 years' experience in the timber industry.

Mr Philip Lloyd is currently chairman of the Green Triangle Regional Plantation Committee. The committee is made up of a range of corporate, individual and not-for-profit entities, all of whom are directly involved or linked with the plantation industry sector. The committee collectively owns and/or manages around 90 per cent of the region's plantation resources. Mr Lloyd is a registered professional forester of some 30 years' experience, with tertiary qualifications in both forest science and business administration.

Mr Ian McDonnell lives in Mount Gambier and has worked in the timber industry for most of his life as, in fact, has his parents and, I think, his grandfather as well. I think he is the third generation. Currently, he is the CEO and part owner of NF McDonnell & Sons sawmillers—a family-owned sawmilling business that has been operating in the South-East since 1944.

Mr Richard Sage, currently chairman of the Forestry Stakeholder Group in the South-East, is also mayor of the District Council of Grant and has represented the area as a local councillor for many years. Mr Matthew Brookes is the Southern Region Operations Manager of CarterHoltHarvey Wood Products Australia. Mr Brookes has been in the industry for 26 years in various roles—commencing in the local sawmill—from sawmill scheduling and logistics to treatment plant and re-manufacturing management. Finally, Mr Brad Coates is from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. Mr Coates has been with the union movement for the last 15 years. He is currently the assistant secretary of the CFMEU of South Australia branch and has been for the past eight years.

Mr Pengilly: Bought them off.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: It is interesting that the member for Finniss should interject, 'Bought them off.' I am sure that Mr Ian McDonnell would be very interested that, somehow, the member for Finniss implicates Mr McDonnell in some sort of corruption. I am sure Mr McDonnell will be very interested to read that in Hansard.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: That is what 'bought them off' means. It means corruption. Now, in addition, the round table will give me advice about specific conditions of the forward rotation sale—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Finniss!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —before the government takes the next step to market. This will include the extension of existing log supply contracts, placing a cap on exports and targeting a minimum rotation length. The round table will also review the levels of the obligations to be placed on a successful purchaser of the forward rotations about replanting and this advice will inform the parameters that the forward rotations are taken to market. The final negotiated conditions will then be reviewed by the round table. The government recognises the importance of the state's forest industry—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: If it is so important to members opposite, why haven't they asked me any more than a couple of questions by their most junior frontbenchers?

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Hammond!

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for MacKillop, you are warned for the second time.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The government recognises the importance of the forest industry and is committed to addressing the many challenges facing the industry irrespective of the proposed forward sale of forest rotations. The establishment of the South-East Forest Industry Roundtable is one of many steps that the government intends to take to protect the interests of the industry and, of course, of the larger community in the South-East.

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: If the member for Hammond thinks he cares so much, why can't he get a question up? Why doesn't he speak to his leader and ask to be put up to the top of the question list?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The Minister for Forests and I look forward to working with members of the round table to get the best results for the industry, the South-East and, of course, for the state.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bragg, you are on your second warning.