Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brown for his question. On Friday, 19 June I announced a review of the Australian pulp and paper manufacturing industry. The review will develop a long-term industry wide strategy for achieving a world-class sustainable pulp and paper industry. I have established a pulp and paper industry strategy group to undertake the review, including senior representatives from industry, unions, the CSIRO and all levels of government. The industry strategy group will develop a roadmap for the sustainable future of the pulp and paper industry and report back to me by November. An issues paper is currently being developed and will be made available publicly at the end of July.

The future of the Burnie and Wesley Vale mills is currently under consideration by Tas Paper, or PaperlinX, and I understand a decision may be made by the end of June. While the government are concerned at any prospective job losses, we will not pre-empt Tas Paper’s strategy review of the mills nor the strategy industry group’s long-term review.