2016-10-12
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Can the minister confirm how much of the remaining high conservation value forest in the Central Highlands, which is the last remaining habitat of the Leadbeater's possum, the faunal emblem of Victoria, will be slated for logging under VicForests' Timber Release Plan, which was gazetted on 3 October?
Ms PULFORD (Minister for Agriculture) — I thank Ms Dunn for her interest in forestry in Victoria, and I will provide Ms Dunn with a written response to her question.
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — I thank the minister. Can the minister explain why the Timber Release Plan has been gazetted but not publicly released, even though, according to the then CEO, Robert Green, who I might add has moved on to the more sustainable plantation timber industry, it is available on the VicForests website. What is the minister trying to hide?
Ms PULFORD (Minister for Agriculture) — The government is not hiding anything. Mr Green is the current CEO of VicForests. I will provide Ms Dunn with a written response to her questions.