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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 7 Hansard (18 October) . . Page.. 1773 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

I think it is true to say that there are some implications of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this motion which would be unfortunate and which we need to think about very carefully. The ACT Government is moving very quickly towards a policy of encouraging the use of recycled paper and paper sourced from plantations. We said in our party policy that we took to the last election that we encourage the development of plantation forests in order to reduce pressure on old growth forests, and we have been negotiating with the private sector to assist with the establishment of new forest plantations in previously cleared areas in the Territory. We want to preserve natural resources in the Territory by taking steps to preserve declared nature reserves and to stimulate the creation of further Landcare groups, and to otherwise encourage the use of recycled paper and paper from plantations; but these things are not necessarily easy to identify as being sourced from that area and it needs to be carefully worked through as a strategy, which we are in the process of doing.

I also have concerns about the nature of the third paragraph of the motion. It is not clear to me what Ms Horodny means by her reference to ensuring that there is no government investment in these industries. Does she mean that we do not buy shares in those companies? Does she mean that we do not deal with those companies in any way, or something in between those two positions? It is very clear, for example, that Boral plays a very significant part in the economy of the ACT and I, for one, would be loath to sever all contact with that company. Doing so would certainly cost many more jobs than we would care to contemplate. Mr Speaker, I indicate that the Government supports the Opposition's amendment, and I hope that we can continue this debate on the basis that there is a need for us to act to protect old growth forests in the future.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, would you formally move your amendment.

MR BERRY (11.06): Yes, Mr Speaker. I inadvertently overlooked moving the amendment so that people could formally speak on the matter. I therefore move the revised amendment circulated in my name, which reads as follows:

Omit all words after "the Australian Timber Industry are", substitute:

"working towards the supply of our total domestic timber needs.

This Assembly welcomes moves where by the year 2000 no woodchip exports will be permitted from native forests except from areas covered by regional forest agreements.

We believe, however, that in the interest of Australian jobs growth our national goal should be that no unprocessed woodchip be exported.

The ACT Government should adopt a policy of purchasing timber products that are recycled or sourced from plantations wherever possible.".

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