Timber Industry

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:12): My question is to the minister for forestry. Has the minister had any discussions with the federal government regarding a freight subsidy for Kangaroo Island plantation timber?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:13): I thank the member for his question. Yes, I have had some discussions. Ten days ago or so I was in Canberra and met with the Hon. Jonno Duniam, the responsible Minister for Forestry, and had some conversations in relation to options of trying to get KI timber available into the market and seeing what they were able to do.

They have had an arrangement in New South Wales and in Victoria where they have supported transport costs in relation to burnt timber arising from circumstances where nearby mills had been burnt down in those fires, and there was a need to shift that timber further away from its normal location to another sawmill. I had conversations in relation to that to see whether they would be willing to extend similar sorts of arrangements to South Australia. I have only this week written a letter back to the minister, trying to find a position where they may actually be able to help, but I am still waiting for a reply from the minister.