Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

We empathise with the contractors. We know they are doing it tough. Some have gone to the wall. The GFC has clearly had a significant impact. Minister Burke is well aware of these challenges and has met many times with the Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association, TFCA, and with individual contractors. I am informed that Minister Burke has also discussed this issue with Tasmanian MPs and industry. Under the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement, a number of programs have assisted contractors as well. The TFCA had one project funded under the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement. This project paid $14,300 to assist in purchasing a harvesting simulator. DAFF committed around $24 million from the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement industry development program to individual contractors for investment in equipment upgrades.

Many are doing it tough and that is why DAFF has arranged with FaHCSIA for Anglicare Tasmania, which operates the Commonwealth financial counselling program in Tasmania, to discuss with members of the TFCA the financial and decision-making support that is available for forestry contractors. This government do not think it is an issue that we should play politics with. It has had a financial toll as well as an emotional toll on many people.