The future of Western Australia's sandalwood industry has been strengthened following the passing of key legislation focused on conserving the State's natural assets. The 66-year-old Wildlife Conservation Act and 87-year-old Sandalwood Act will be replaced with a modern Act which will significantly increase penalties for illegal sandalwood activity.
Forestry Minister Mia Davies said the legislative overhaul would increase maximum penalties for individuals illegally harvesting and stealing sandalwood from $200 to $200,000, and corporations found guilty of illegal sandalwood activity now faced fines of up to $1 million.
Ms Davies said the new laws supported implementation of a legality verification process that would allow marketplace sandalwood products to be traced to the point of harvest. Ms Davies said that following the parliamentary inquiry into the sandalwood industry, which had identified the extent of illegal activity, the Liberal National Government had committed to taking the necessary steps to sustain and protect the industry.
"This system will significantly increase transparency and provide plantation and wild sandalwood harvesters, processors and customers with confidence that the harvest is lawful," she said.
Forestry Minister Mia Davies said the legislative overhaul would increase maximum penalties for individuals illegally harvesting and stealing sandalwood from $200 to $200,000, and corporations found guilty of illegal sandalwood activity now faced fines of up to $1 million.
Ms Davies said the new laws supported implementation of a legality verification process that would allow marketplace sandalwood products to be traced to the point of harvest. Ms Davies said that following the parliamentary inquiry into the sandalwood industry, which had identified the extent of illegal activity, the Liberal National Government had committed to taking the necessary steps to sustain and protect the industry.
"This system will significantly increase transparency and provide plantation and wild sandalwood harvesters, processors and customers with confidence that the harvest is lawful," she said.
