Kangaroo Island Timber

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:13): My question is to the minister for forestry. What progress has the minister made as to grants that were applied for and discussions with the federal government regarding transport fuel subsidies in order to get the timber off Kangaroo Island?

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development) (15:13): I thank the member for his question. As I have previously stated in a previous answer, we are continuing to work with the federal government in relation to support to get timber off the island. They are going through their processes and having a look at this.

This is something that was only offered to the Victorian and New South Wales firegrounds in relation to moving timber to different sawmills. The sawmills that the timber was normally allocated for in those particular states were damaged by fire and weren't able to process, so there was support given to move it to alternate mills. We have approached the federal government for some support to move damaged timber here in South Australia and we are waiting on the federal government to make a commitment.