Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 October 2014:

The structure and development of forestry managed investment schemes (MIS), including:

(a) the motivation and drivers that established the framework for the schemes initially;

(b) the role of governments in administering and regulating forestry MIS;

(c) the current policy and regulatory framework of forestry MIS;

(d) the role of some in the financial services industry in promoting and selling forestry MIS;

(e) compensation arrangements for small investors in forestry MIS who have lost life savings and their homes in the face of the collapse of forestry MIS;

(f) the burden on farmers and other agricultural producers who have been left with the uncertainty of timber plantations linked to forestry MIS on their land;

(g) options for reforming forestry MIS to protect investors and rural communities; and

(h) any other related matters.

I seek leave to make a short statement.