Dr WOODRUFF - Minister, at 8.45 a.m. this morning, the West Australian Government put out a media release that said:
The McGowan Labor Government has made the historic decision to protect the state's native forests from 2024 and will invest a record $350 million to expand Western Australia's softwood timber plantations to create and support sustainable WA jobs.
The ever increasing impacts of climate change, the importance of maintaining biodiversity and forest health, the need for carbon capture and storage, and declining timber yields means it is essential we act now to protect WA's forests.
The Environment minister says:
This will not only ensure this important asset can be enjoyed for its beauty, Aboriginal cultural heritage and eco-tourism for years to come, but it is an important step in the fight against climate change.
Minister, do you agree the best action we can take to protect Tasmania's many threatened and endangered species unique to this place is to end native forest logging?
Mr JAENSCH - No, I don't. Questions on forestry and our forestry policy and its future are better directed to the Minister for Resources than me. What Western Australia decides on whether it be climate change, threatened species or forestry policy is a matter for them.
Dr WOODRUFF - I thought you would be fascinated with what an environment minister in another state would be saying about best the ways to protect biodiversity in their state.
Mr JAENSCH - You didn't ask if I was interested if I thought that we should stop native forest industry.
CHAIR - It would be more of interest to ask a question, Dr Woodruff, than a restatement of a Western Australian media release.