NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

In reply to the Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (15 November 2007).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): I have been advised:

There are no boards holding unspent NHT funding due to a failure to appoint project officers.

It is important to note that whenever any project officer resigns boards are faced with a 1-3 month delay in replacing the officer, which usually requires the board to seek an extension to the project and therefore retain funds longer than expected. This is not a reflection on not being able to attract and recruit staff, but rather the outcome of normal recruitment processes.