Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Colbeck for the question. The historic intergovernmental agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments will secure jobs, ensure a sustainable forest industry and protect high-conservation-value forests for future generations. This agreement will help the forest industry adapt to market changes while protecting the communities and families who rely on the sector to survive. Under the agreement, a total of $276 million, including $15 million from the Tasmanian government, will be provided in the following key areas: support for workers, contractors and their families affected by the downturn in the industry; protecting high conservation value forests and ensuring a sustainable wood supply; and identifying and funding regional develop­ment and diversification projects.

The Australian and Tasmanian govern­ments are immediately commencing imple­mentation of this agreement, including providing assistance to displaced workers and establishing an independent verification process under the intergovernmental agree­ment to assess timber supply requirements and the boundaries of proposed new conser­vation reserves. The industry support packages include $25 million for immediate employment and training support for redundant forestry workers; $15 million from the Tasmanian government to administer transition support payments to workers, including contractor employees; $45 million in assistance for voluntary exits from native forest operations, for haulage, harvest and silviculture contractors; and $1 million—