Kelsbie rebuffs forestry critics

Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie has hit back at criticism that the Labor Government was not standing with the forestry industry after it was revealed timber mills were being forced to shut because of a lack of work. Ms Kelsbie, pictured, said the “number one priority” for the incumbent McGowan administration was to keep and grow jobs in the regions. Nationals MLC James Hayward two weeks ago said Ms Kelsbie and her party had to help the industry, which was facing a number of closures. In Mr Hayward’s appeal to Ms Kelsbie, he said he was concerned the State Government would “appease environmentalists” in the city rather than support people who depended on jobs in the timber industry. He said he was worried South West communities, who rely on the timber industry, would be blanked over through an online survey circulating regarding the drafting of the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033. Ms Kelsbie said this week she had met with those in the forestry industry on a number of occasions and there was no way the drafting of the FMP would take place without the proper parties. “(The industry) will continue to be involved in the consultation process as the new FMP is formed,” she said. “The State Government will continue to work with the timber industry through each stage of the FMP formation.” Ms Kelsbie said she was willing to speak to any person in the community over these issues. A number of sawmills in the South West region were forced to cease operations earlier this year, which the Forest Industries Federation of WA said was because of a “poor supply” of timber. “Our members have literally run out of logs and, as such, have been forced to stop work and send their employees home,” said FIFWA executive director Melissa Haslam. “Contractors have also been impacted, having their machinery sitting idle waiting for harvest areas to be prepared.”