Jim Magee
A suburban city councillor in Melbourne believes the Auditor General’s office has opened the door for an investigation into the State Government’s plan to shut down the native timber industry. Source: Timberbiz
Cr Jim Magee, who is Deputy Mayor with the City of Glen Eira, wrote to the Auditor General Andrew Greaves in April requesting a performance audit into the 2019 State Government’s announcement that all logging in native forests across the state is to stop by 2030.
He also requested a follow up of the 2013 audit report named “Managing Victoria’s Native Forest Timber Resources”.
In the letter he pointed out the damage such a closure would do to the industry. Cr Magee’s career began within the timber industry over four decades from 1976 as an apprentice wood machinist in the manufacturing of timber windows, doors and commercial joinery to currently providing expert consultancy in green saw milling and dry solid timber machining.
In a letter to Cr Magee seen by Daily Timber News, Mr Greaves says that while there is currently no plan to undertake a performance audit specifically on the topic “we would be pleased to consider it as part of our annual performance audit planning process”.
Cr Magee said he was not surprised with the response.
“I worded my letter in such a way that for him to say no would put him at risk.” Cr Magee said.
If it could be shown later that the Auditor General’s office rejected an application for review, it might not have looked good in the future.
“I’ve been on our council for 13 years, and a part of the council’s audit and risk committee,” Cr Magee said.
“I know the process of government. And I know who actually watches government and the Auditor General is the only department that you can go to, to actually have what they call a performance audit done of government.”
Cr Magee said a performance audit looks at every aspect of a government’s decision.
“I knew the situation met the criteria for a performance audit. So, I wasn’t surprised at all when he came back and said, it’ll be considered.”
Cr Magee said the next step would be that the Auditor General will schedule a performance audit into the government’s decision to phase out logging in hardwood forests forest.
Over a period of probably 12 months, a report would be prepared for parliament.
Cr Magee said he hoped it would be placed on the agenda in the next couple of months, and the audit would start in the second half of next year.
“They will seek all the information they can get in any form they feel necessary.
“So, they may write to the mill owners, they may put something in the newspaper and call for public comments.
“But as soon as the audit is called for, I will be very, very loud on social media and in the media,” Cr Magee said.
“And I’d be encouraging people to write to the Auditor General and give their opinion.”
