Mr MICHAEL REGAN (Wakehurst) (13:10): My question is directed to the Premier. Last week Forestry Corporation of New South Wales was fined $360,000 for breaching logging rules designed to protect native forests devastated in the Black Summer fires and was found to have a significant history of unlawfully carrying out forestry operations. Several more criminal prosecutions are underway, and 18 further potential breaches are being investigated. Does the Premier think it is acceptable for this State-owned corporation to chronically break New South Wales laws?

Mr CHRIS MINNS (Kogarah—Premier) (13:11): I thank the member for his question. In relation to the ruling of last week, obviously, it is disappointing. We expect Forestry Corporation to be a good corporate citizen. It is important for the State. The conditions on the South Coast were imposed on the Yambulla State Forest, after the Black Summer fires, and were designed to protect parts of the forest that were not damaged as a result of fire so that we could protect whatever remaining biodiversity and wildlife was in that region. It is important to say that it is not as straightforward as perhaps many members believe when it comes to forestry protections. It is not simply a case of prescribing an area in large parts of our forestry network where you can or cannot log.

For example, if a glider was discovered on the South Coast, then it is incumbent upon Forestry Corporation to note where the glider is, what tree it is in and then put a 25-metre exclusion zone around the tree. Forestry Corporation does a survey prior to logging, which is important, to identify whether there are protected species within the proposed logging area. After the survey is completed, logging might continue, but it is still incumbent on forestry workers to decide whether there are endangered species in those areas. The gliders and some native vegetation and some native species are inconspicuous and hard to spot—a lot harder than the member for Oxley, who is very fashion forward today, with the white, like Richie Benaud.

In any event, I do not say that to absolve Forestry Corporation. Obviously, it is the case that, in all circumstances, New South Wales corporations and businesses must fully comply with the law. I raise all those issues so that members can be aware that it is not as straightforward as a recalcitrant department logging in a national forest or a national park, for example. It is more complex than that. Having said that, the Minister is in contact with Forestry Corporation. It is important that we comply with the law, notwithstanding that in some cases it is difficult to do that. The Government is committed to its existing policies in relation to this, in particular, the Great Koala National Park, which is important for the State and the Mid North Coast. It has the support of the New South Wales Government and I understand that it has the support of the New South Wales Liberal Party, but it is unclear what the National Party's view is. I say that as a matter of fact. I understand that at its recent national conference it passed a motion against such a park.

06 August 2024, 13:10.