Sammlung von Newsfeeds

More than $2.6 million has been awarded to 22 businesses located in Western Australia’s South West under the Timber Region Transition Grant. Source: Timberbiz Successful recipients presented projects demonstrating potential for positive economic impact, including long-term business viability, enhanced regional productivity and job creation. The grant is the final funding initiative under the $80 million Native Forest Transition Plan to help workers, businesses and regional communities transition from the native forestry industry. It was a response to the September 2021 decision to end native forest logging in Western Australia. Support remains available for impacted businesses through the Closure of Impacted Businesses (CIB) until the end of 2025 with up to $50,000 available for eligible businesses. Furthermore, the Business and Workforce Transition Programs have been extended to the end of 2025 to enable eligible workers and businesses more time to access support funding. These are the 22 companies that have received grants:

A prominent forestry company in Mount Gambier/Berrin has been put under the microscope following a five-year select committee review. Source: The Border Watch An extensive 83-page report was tabled to Parliament following extensive review, submissions and discussions. The Select Committee on Matters Relating to the Timber Industry was established in November 2022 following the recommendation of the interim report of the original select committee. The Lower Limestone Coast is responsible for $483m in forestry and logging output leading to 87% of the state’s overall forestry and logging output. OneFortyOne is one of the biggest forestry companies across the Green Triangle and after purchasing the Jubilee Highway Sawmill in 2017, the Australian Competition and Consumer COmmission concluded its proposed acquisition of the premises, and associated woodship export operations was unlikely to “substantially lessen” competition in any relevant market. The company’s Plantation Lease Agreement requires OneFortyOne to provide annual reports and while the company undertakes self-assessment for these reports, it may be reviewed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). The report stated neither OneFortyOne nor any other agencies provided complete copies of the lease agreement or its annual report to the committee while arguing OneFortyOne was compliant with the conditions of the lease. “The committee was presented with evidence that although OneFortyOne claims compliance with the letter of the contract, it was less than certain that OneFortyOne was compliant with the intentions behind the contract,” the report stated. In submissions received by the committee, the South Australia Timber Process Association claimed OneFortyOne had “offered tenders of sizes and timeframes” which local processors could not manage. “It was not practical for South Australian mills to purchase these large volumes, and particularly with little notice,” the report stated. “Therefore, OneFortyOne could export the volumes that were first offered to the local industry.” It said the association stated “OneFortyOne exported the highest volume of sawlog during the calendar years 2016 and 2017, taking full advantage of the fact that [local] industry was not able to use the log[s] advertised”. In the submission, the association also argued the purchase of the Jubilee Sawmill and the supply of logs by OneFortyOne to the mill could not be considered “arm’s length” transactions as required in the lease agreement. Despite this, OneFortyOne stated it took its compliance with the lease agreement seriously with the organisation establishing a “comprehensive internal compliance process”. “Under the terms of the PLantation Lease Agreement any sawlog over and above OneFortyOne’s contracts with domestic suppliers must be made available to domestic sawmills and exports on an equal basis and we have fulfilled this obligation,” they said. There was also an independent audit of the agreement for the 2018 calendar year. The audit found that the lease agreement was the “sole reference document” of deliverance with respect to the state’s dealings with OneFortyOne regarding the supply of forest product to domestic manufacturing. It also found that OneFortyOne complied in all material respects with its agreement. Throughout the report, the committee presented 17 recommendations including one requesting examination into the state government’s contract of the sale of the forward rotations of the forests as well as the plantation lease agreement. It also found there were varying opinions across the industry regarding OneFortyOne’s compliance with the conditions of the lease as well as the sale of the forward rotations of the forest. Topics covered in the report also included the volume of radiata pine log exported from the Limestone Coast, the economic benefit and employment opportunities gained through additional woof fibre-based industries and options for increasing the availability of logs to state processors. A OneFortyOne spokesperson said the company acknowledged the report of the select committee and recognised it concluded a process which commenced in 2019. The spokesperson said the process was one which the company had “fulsomely engaged with” and had made a “number of written and in person” submissions. “OneFortyOne takes its obligations under the Plantation Lease Agreement seriously and has a robust compliance framework in place to monitor compliance and provide assurance,” they said. “Each year, OneFortyOne provides the Government of South Australia (through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA- PIRSA) an annual compliance report on our obligations under the Plantation Lease Agreement. “A previous independent audit undertaken by the government has also confirmed OneFortyOne’s compliance with our obligations … we will continue to work with the Government of South Australia as we focus on the future of the forest and timber industry.”  

Bringing in more support and more action, the Maryvale Mill workers and union groups have made a move against Opal’s actions. Source: Latrobe Valley Express On February 6, about 150 Maryvale Mill production workers marched the streets of Opal’s Richmond location. Before taking to the metropolitan area, the mill workers also received support from Latrobe City Council, Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and Senator Raff Ciccone towards the action taken by Opal. Workers and contractors under the CFMEU have been locked out of the mill by Opal since January 16, after seven workers undertook a protected stop-work action to preserve their work conditions and pay. With an hour’s notice until they were exiled from the mill, 308 production workers are now engaged in an Enterprise Agreement discussion with Opal Australian Paper – owned by the large multinational Nippon with the help of the CFMEU since the latest agreement expired in December 2024. Throughout the lockout, the workers have been keeping a presence at the mill during work hours (8am to 3pm), to let Opal know they still want to work. On January 30, Opal’s “protected” industrial action was described as abuse of power from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Secretary Sally McManus. Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman relayed that not only is the action unfair to the workers, but Latrobe is already seeing some of the impacts of the closure, urging for state government support. “The Victorian government has an important role to play in facilitating dialogue between both parties, supporting efforts to bring both management and the union back to the negotiating table with the aim of resolving this dispute quickly and fairly,” the mayor told the Express. “This will help achieve a solution that safeguards both workers’ rights and the long-term viability of the Maryvale Mill, ensuring a sustainable future for the region and its workforce. “The current industrial action not only affects those directly involved but also places undue strain on the Latrobe City community. Many families rely on the mill’s operation for their livelihood, and any prolonged disruption threatens the region’s economic stability.” As Victorian’s most heavily impacted and transitioning region, council says it stands with the community to support the economic diversification of the region’s industry landscape and economy. “We call upon the Victorian government to continue to work collaboratively with the timber industry and affected communities, following the cessation of native timber harvesting, to find viable and sustainable solutions that prioritise both environmental conservation and the welfare of timber industry workers, including those employed at the Maryvale Mill,” Mayor Harriman said. “We understand that this is a pivotal moment for the mill’s future as it navigates challenges such as rising costs and evolving market demands. A fair and equitable resolution to this industrial dispute is critical to ensuring that the Maryvale Mill remains a key player in Australia’s paper industry and, importantly, a strong employer in Latrobe City. “Securing the ongoing operations of the Mill is essential, not only for the livelihoods of those directly impacted, but also for the long-term prosperity and economic stability of the Gippsland region. A timely resolution will not only protect local jobs but will also ensure that the Maryvale Mill can continue to serve as a vital economic engine for Latrobe City.” On Wednesday, February 5, Senator Raff Ciccone responded to the issue by showing his support. “I rise in support of the 308 pulp and paper manufacturing workers who’ve been brutally stood down without pay at the Maryvale Mill in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley,” he said. “This adversarial move by Opal comes after years of cooperation from union members to financially secure the mill during difficult periods. This included employees agreeing to reclassifications and wage resets, as well as a five per cent pay cut in 2016. “In return for their cooperation, Opal has shamefully offered its workers a choice between real cuts to wages and workplace conditions, or indefinite lockout from work and income. I can tell you that a lot of them are relying on that income to support their families. “These 308 workers deserve better than this unjustifiable lockout. I call on Opal to return its employees to work, and to engage with them in good faith for the sake of their families and the local community. “I stand in solidarity with the Pulp and Paper Division, Maryvale Mill workers and every Australian fighting for secure work, for secure jobs and for better pay.” He mentioned that the Mill has been an integral part of the community since 1937, and the supply chain has empowered the community and the local economy for so long, and that their support throughout times such as the pandemic have not gone unnoticed. Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron and state Leader of The Nationals, Danny O’Brien, met with mill workers in state Parliament on February 6. “Over the last few weeks I have met with local union representatives who have reaffirmed employees are ready, willing, and able to reach an agreement and return work at the mill,” Mr Cameron said. “Workers are under immense strain and are understandably concerned about how they will provide for their families with no end in sight to this dispute. “I have written to Opal and reiterated the importance of brokering a deal that’s fair for both workers and the company, because the reality is that our region cannot afford to lose another major employer. “Labor’s decision to shut the native timber industry has had an enormous impact on the Maryvale Mill’s operations and placed Opal under financial pressure.” During question time, Mr O’Brien demanded answers from Jacinta Allan about what Labor is doing to ensure mill workers don’t lose their jobs. “Labor’s disastrous forestry policy has cut supply to the Maryvale Mill, and Opal has directly credited the shut-down of the native timber industry as threatening the viability of its operations,” he said. “The former Premier promised mill workers their jobs were secure up until 2050, but the rug was pulled out […]