QUESTIONS ON NOTICE › Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Question Nos 1886 and 1887)
Senator Conroy: The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: (a) The total cost of the Tasmanian Forest Independent Verification process, led by Professor Jonathan West, is approximately $2.05 million. Exact final figures cannot be provided at this time as some work is still underway, but total payments made as at 29 June 2012 are $1,897,288.26. This total figure includes $130,000 for Professor Jonathan West's services, plus $302,540.44 for the other five expert members of the Independent Verification Group for their contribution to the comprehensive assessment of the Tasmanian forestry industry's timber supply requirements and the conservation values of nominated areas of Tasmania's native forests. It also includes a total of $1,464,747.82 paid to 27 expert organisations and individuals to produce data, modelling and sub-reports to support the Independent Verification Group's analysis, plus ongoing technical support from industry and environment nominees, peer review and administration costs. (b) In order to support their involvement in the Statement of Principles process, in June 2011 industry were provided a total of $120,000, employee representatives a total of $80,000 and conservation non-government organisations a total of $40,000. This funding has been used to support a range of coordination activities including industry, employee and community engagement in the process and support programs. Industry groups included: Forest Industries Association of Tasmania National Association of Forest Industries Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association Australian Forest Contractors Association Tasmanian Country Sawmillers Federation Timber Communities Australia Empl o yees were represented by: the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Conservation non-government organisations include: Australian Conservation Foundation Environment Tasmania The Wilderness Society was not funded at this time as it had suspended its involvement in the process. In June 2012 the Signatories were granted the following additional amounts to support their ongoing involvement in intensive negotiations to reach an agreement which optimises wood supply and conservation outcomes. The following three organisations were provided $20,000 each to support their interstate representatives' involvement in Hobart negotiations: Timber Communities Australia Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Australian Conservation Foundation The following seven organisations were provided $5,000 each to support the involvement of their Tasmanian representatives' in the Hobart negotiations: Forest Industries Association of Tasmania Australian Forest Products Association Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association Australian Forest Contractors Association Tasmanian Sawmillers Association The Wilderness Society Environment Tasmania All figures GST Exclusive