Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 995.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) timber demand is outstripping supply and placing stress on local businesses, with timber merchants, builders and carpenters reporting that they are unable to source timber,

  (ii) there were 130,000 hectares of plantation timber burnt in the 2020 bushfires,

  (iii) in June 2020 Australia was importing in excess of 900 million cubic metres of sawn softwood, however, sourcing timber has become far more difficult,

  (iv) the Government launched the HomeBuilder scheme in June 2020 to stimulate the building industry and protect jobs,

  (v) HomeBuilder was originally projected to provide funding for 27,520 projects, however, as at 29 January 2021 there was a total of 81,917 applications, and

  (vi) HomeBuilder was extended in November 2020 and at the same time the requirement to commence construction was increased from 3 months of contract signature to 6 months of contract signature; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

  (i) ease the burden on a stressed supply chain caused by the HomeBuilder scheme by extending the timeframe for construction to commence, and

  (ii) develop a comprehensive national plan for the development of Australia's timber industry that will improve timber supply and enhance Australian industry resilience.