❓ The question probes the implementation of the Forest Management Plan 2024-2033, focusing on ecological thinning, funding allocations, and potential conflicts with the government's commitment to end native forest logging. It seeks detailed information on progress, funding, and the relationship between DBCA and FPC.

(1) I refer to Ministerial Statement No. 1214 – Statement that a proposal may be implemented (Environmental Protection Act 1986) Forest Management Plan 2024–2033, dated 30 November 2023, and I ask:(a) for each of the following Ministerial Statement requirements in relation to Ecological Thinning, which ones have been completed and are publicly available and which ones are still in progress and when will they be completed and publicly available:(i) B1-1: amendment of the proposal;(ii) B2-1: amendment of the proposal;(iii) B2-1: preparation of an evaluation report;(iv) B2-2: production of silvicultural guidelines for ecological thinning;(v) B3-1: publication of annual ecological thinning plans including an evaluation of likely consistency with biological diversity and ecological integrity objectives, outcomes of consultation and evidence of adaptive management;(vi) B4-1: independent review of ecological thinning; and(vii) B4-2: periodic performance assessment including the outcome of the independent review; and(b) please provide all that have been completed?(2) What amount of government funding has been allocated to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) annually for ecological thinning since the Forest Management Plan was approved on 30 November 2023?(3) What amount of government funding will be allocated to DBCA annually for ecological thinning for the remainder of the Forest Management Plan approval period, through to 2033?(4) Other than prescribed burning, is there any other DBCA program that receives the same or a greater amount of annual funding from the government:(a) if yes to (4), which program/s?(5) How much funding does the government provide to DBCA annually for the following biodiversity conservation, forest health and forest resilience programs across WA’s south-west forest regions, whether as part of the Forest Management Plan implementation or separately:(a) research into and control of diseases affecting native forest trees, other forest flora and overall forest health including dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi),Armillaria luteobubalinaand marri canker (Quambalaria coyrecup; Quambalaria pitereka);(b) weed and feral animal control; and(c) protection of forests and adjacent natural areas from damage and degradation caused by increased off-road vehicle access?(6) Was the Minister or DBCA consulted by the Minister for Forestry or the Forest Products Commission (FPC) prior to the Commission advertising for proposals (RFP11/2025FSa) for the purchase of up to 300,000 tonnes per annum of “native forest industrial wood and forest residue” generated from DBCA’s ecological thinning operations, minesite rehabilitation thinning and minesite clearing, through to 2033?(7) What is the breakdown of the FPC’s estimated up to 300,000 tonnes per annum between:(a) ecological thinning;(b) minesite rehabilitation thinning; and(c) minesite clearing?(8) Has DBCA provided FPC with an estimate of annual native forest log production from its ecological thinning program across each of the three south-west forest regions or in total, through to 2033:(a) if yes to (8), what are those amounts?(9) According to FPC state forest log production statistics, in the ten years leading up to the government’s ban on native forest logging, the total level of karri log production (sawlogs and chiplogs) averaged around 200,000 tonnes per annum and the total level of jarrah sawlog production averaged around 100,000 tonnes per annum:(a) Given this, and noting FPC’s tender volume of up to 300,000 tonnes per annum, is the Minister concerned that under the euphemism of ‘ecological thinning’, a new native forest logging industry is being created by DBCA and FPC across the south-west forest regions, with high levels of native forest logging locked in via legally binding contracts of production and sale through to 2033 in breach of the government’s commitment to end native forest logging; and(b) if no to (9)(a), why not?(10) Can the Minister please provide a copy of current Ecological Thinning Silvicultural Guidelines:(a) in the event that the Ecological Thinning Silvicultural Guidelines change year to year, please provide the Guidelines for both the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 financial years?(11) Please provide a copy of all operational or coupe maps where ecological thinning occurred in 2025-2026 and is planned for in 2026-2027?(12) For each area in (11), please provide the thinning prescription that was, or is planned to be applied, including but not limited to the disturbance history, target basal area and flora and fauna management plans?