Adele Farina CEO FIFWA
Claims three new grant programs to support economic development and job creation in South-West communities in Western Australia were developed in consultation with communities, workers and businesses affected by the government’s decision to end hardwood harvesting have been rejected by the Opposition and the Forest Industries Federation of WA. Source: Timberbiz
WA’s Forestry Minister Dave Kelly announced this week that the third pillar in the $80 million Native Forestry Transition plan would help build strong, diverse regional economies and support the creation of local jobs.
The $15 million Small Business Development and Diversification program will provide grants of up to $400,000 to small businesses that have been impacted by the end of native forest logging to diversify or expand their business into new business streams.
Mr Kelly said the programs were developed in consultation with the Native Forestry Transition Group, local government authorities, the Forest Industries Federation of Western Australia, the Australian Workers’ Union, and Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
But that claim has been rejected by the Forest Industries Federation of WA.
FIFWA is a community representative on the Native Forestry Transition Group, along with other members such as local government authorities and the WA Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
FIFWA Chief Executive Officer Adele Farina said Mr Kelly’s comments came as a rude shock and was unacceptable.
Ms Farina said as the package was yet to be finalised, its public announcement was premature and showed no regard for due process.
Shadow Minister for Forestry Steve Martin said Mr Kelly had again failed to meaningfully consult with the communities, workers and businesses affected by the government’s decision to end hardwood harvesting.
“FIFWA categorically refutes the Minister’s claim that the package has been prepared in consultation with the community representatives on the Native Forestry Transition Group,” Ms Farina said.
“The package announced by Minister Kelly has been developed by the government and an outline of the package was presented to members of the Community and Industry Development Sub-group of the Native Forestry Transition Group for the first time on Monday afternoon.
“It has not yet been presented to the Native Forestry Transition Group.”
Mr Martin said Mr Kelly had made no serious attempt to consult with those involved in the forestry industry before making his latest announcement.
“Rather than taking the opportunity to meaningfully consult with industry and community representatives, he again imposed a solution that treats the sector with contempt,” Mr Martin said.
“This is latest in a string of announcements that have been presented to the industry as a take it or leave it deal.”
Ms Farina said the statement by Minister Kelly represented a government that is content to merely tick the box as opposed to engaging in real and meaningful consultation.
“At the meeting on Monday afternoon, members of the sub-group expressed serious concerns with the proposed package which fails to deliver the government’s promised ‘Just Transition’, leaving many impacted by the government’s decision to cease native forestry by 2024 without any funding assistance to make the transition forced on them by the government,” Ms Farina said.
“With questions raised by members at the meeting left unanswered, it will be difficult enough to provide meaningful feedback. However, the Minister’s action announcing the package within 24 hours of having agreed to give members two weeks to provide feedback and less than a few hours after members received the actual document outlining the package, shows any feedback provided by members will, yet again, fall on deaf ears,” she said.
“The government doesn’t even know how many businesses have been or will be adversely impacted by its decision. Program One will assist 37 businesses only at the full grant amount. I am confident the number of impacted businesses will well exceed this number,” she said.
“The whole Native Forestry Transition process has largely been a farce, with the government pushing ahead with its pre-determined agenda despite the views and advice of the very people the government selected to be part of the Native Forestry Transition Group to deliver a ‘Just Transition’.
“The package as announced will not deliver permanent jobs for native forestry workers made redundant, as stated by the government, and will not deliver a ‘Just Transition’ to those most impacted by the decision.
“FIFWA calls on the government to come back to the table and renegotiate the package.”
Mr Martin said the grants would go nowhere near covering the cost of the substantial investments made by small business owners that had kept hundreds of workers in Western Australia employed and contributed millions to the economy.
“If this low-ball offer wasn’t insulting enough, these businesses are still facing an uncertain future as no one from the government has told them what to expect once the current Forest Management Plan has ended,” he said.
