Legislative Council: Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Contents

Forestry Industry

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (15:43): Supplementary: what consultation within the timber industry has the minister done, and what outcomes is she hoping to see for the industry?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:44): I am glad the honourable member has some interest in the industry. As I have mentioned, I have frequent consultation and meetings with various stakeholders across the industry. In terms of what I am doing to support the industry, we are implementing our election commitments, of which there were many for the forest industry.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Of course, one of the very important ones was the—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Ms Girolamo!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —domestic master plan, which I have mentioned already and which is about, among other things, ensuring that we are doing extra value-adding here in South Australia wherever possible.

Another thing we are doing for the industry is the centre of excellence, which will ensure we have the capacity for long-term research within this state. South Australia is renowned not only for its industry itself but also the research that we have conducted, and I would particularly like to acknowledge, for example, Tree Breeding Australia, which I mentioned in answer to a previous question today, which has been successful in gaining some additional research funds for an important project.

We are very, very fortunate to have superb organisations such as Tree Breeding Australia but also other research capability and amazing expertise here in South Australia. The policies that we took to the election that we are now implementing are among some of the many ways we are supporting the industry going forward.