2015-11-12
Ms Dunn — My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Can the minister advise if there is a lack of motivation by this government to see the work of the industry task force commence due to the potential impact that work might have on the flow of funding to the Labor Party from the forestry division of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, or was it to ensure VicForests had time to lock in long-term contract deals?
Ms Pulford (Minister for Agriculture) — That is a particularly absurd assertion. We have gone to all kinds of strange places in this discussion now over the course of this year. The task force is being supported by the government. It is being established and led by those organisations and groups that I referred to in my previous answer. The government will be supporting this task force in a really very important conversation. While that is occurring, VicForests has in no way been released from any of its legal obligations, any of the responsibilities that the board has to properly acquit the work of VicForests. I note that it has had a strong performance, and this is reflected in its annual report. VicForests also does a power of work in supporting the recovery efforts of the Leadbeater’s possum, which I know the member does not want to hear, but it is true.
Supplementary question
Ms Dunn — I thank the minister for her answer. Given she has been nearly a year in government and logging in ash forests, a habitat of the critically endangered Leadbeater’s possum, has continued in that same time to a scale the same size as the Richmond electorate, is the industry task force just a smokescreen? When can we expect the terms of reference for the task force to be finalised so its work can commence?
Ms Pulford — The members of the task force are finalising their terms of reference, and I am sure that when they have concluded finalising their terms of reference they will be there for the member to see and to pore over to her heart’s content.
Ms Dunn — On a point of order, President, the supplementary asked when we can expect them, so there is a time frame. I am wondering if the minister can elaborate on the answer and actually provide a time frame of when those terms of reference will be ready?
The President — Order! The minister has sufficient time to respond further, if she would wish to.
Ms Pulford — Thank you, President, for the opportunity to further respond to that. I think the member misunderstands. The government is supporting the task force. The members of the task force are establishing the task force and finalising their terms of reference. I have every expectation that that will occur sooner rather than later, but the decision to finalise the terms of reference is a decision of those groups and organisations. There is a lot of interest in this from a lot of different perspectives and that work is underway, as I understand, from those who are participating in it.