Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Colbeck for his question. What I am not going to do is provide in advance what the package will look like and how the package will be structured for industry assistance. In Tasmania the forest industry plus the haulage contractors have significant issues. This government is concerned about the downturn in the industry, which has created hardships.

I understand Senator Colbeck has an interest in ensuring that we do roll out the $20 million package of assistance for the haulage contractors in the forestry industry, particularly for the employees who are employed by the contractors. In addition to that, this government, as I have indicated, will be announcing the package soon, but what I am not going to provide is a pre-announcement of that package, how it will be used by industry and how it will be rolled out to industry. But I am sure that in a very short space of time that information will be available. (Time expired)