What is the State Government doing to honour its commitments to timber companies in the Brigalow area?
The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: I thank the honourable member for her question and commend her for her long-term interest in this area. As members on this side of the House would know, last year the Government made a pledge to give industry development assistance to the Brigalow area. Today I am pleased to announce the first tranche of more than $1 million in funding for the Brigalow area. The Hon. Duncan Gay: It is a bit late. The Hon. IAN MACDONALD: No, it is not too late. Funding includes $292,000 for Gulargambone Cypress, $636,000 to Gulargambone Sawmilling, $110,000 to Grants Holdings at Condobolin, and a further $6,000 to the Cypress Industry Strategic Plan Group. For the benefit of Opposition members, that adds up to just over $1 million. This funding fulfils an important Government commitment but it does more than that: it helps those communities that need it most. That is what the Iemma Government is all about. This builds on our initiative in signing historic 20-year wood supply agre
