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

An independent verification group was convened by Professor Jonathan West. It is to assess the conservation values of the nominated 572,000 hectares and assess reserve areas compatible with wood supply guarantees to determine the areas of high conservation value forest. This is an important process to go through. It seems those opposite do not want to engage in this process other than to stand on the sideline and say no. That group have started their work and the government looks forward to them working successfully through what is a quite complex process. Where harvesting work has already begun in coupes within the nominated 430,000 hectares, rescheduling will occur as soon as practicable and a list of coupes that will be harvested will be agreed to by the government. (Time expired)