Ministerial Statement

SOUTH EAST FORESTRY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Small Business) (18:17): I seek leave to make a brief ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: I wish to provide further information to the house regarding an earlier question by the member for Mount Gambier. The VTT final report was handed down on 30 September and the surplus $10 million from the South East Forestry Partnerships Program will be spent on implementing its recommendations. That is, the money will stay in the South-East to be spent in line with industry initiatives that promote a sustainable and profitable forestry industry. I will advise further on how the government will ensure this is achieved through the establishment of the appropriate criteria.