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

I thank Senator Colbeck for his question. He has actually helped me quite a lot with this. The pulp and paper manufacturing industry in Australia employs some 19,000 people. Much of the industry, of course, is located in rural and regional areas and it contributes some $1.3 billion per year to regional communities. Because PaperlinX are a major international manufacturer, marketer and distributor of packaging and office paper, the actions that they have taken in recent times in the restructure of that business have meant there has been some speculation as to the future of the particular mills in northern Tasmania.

The government has no intention whatsoever to continue or encourage speculation with regard to the future of those mills. There is, however, an obligation as far as the government is concerned to ensure that we are able to look at all the policy options that are available in ensuring that, in a period of rationalisation and particularly in a time when we are faced with considerable stresses as a result of the global recession, all possible action is taken to ensure the sustainability of the industry in Australia.