Australia's forestry and forest products sector welcomes the Coalition's suite of election commitments for our industries announced today. These policy and funding measures align with the Australian Forest Products Association's (AFPA's) Election Platform and will make a considerable and positive impact for our sustainable sector, if delivered, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said today.
Today, the Coalition has committed to:
- Country of Origin labelling for wood - so consumers know where what they're buying comes from
- Supporting Australia's native forestry industries, stating - "A Dutton Government will not support any further bans on native forestry"
- Establishing Permanent Timber Production Zones to support ongoing and reliable access for plantation and native timber
- $40 million in grants to establish a new Timber Manufacturing Expansion Program - where mills must utilise wood from their own region
- Removing public funding from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), cracking down on hollow activist lawfare and ensuring only sensible regulation that properly considers economic and social benefits
Diana Hallam said, "This is a welcome package that demonstrates the Liberal-National Parties' commitment to plantation and native forestry and our downstream processing and manufacturing cogs of the supply chain. It's an excellent start from the Coalition for what Australia's forest industries need to realise their potential for the economy, local communities, the climate and Aussie and export consumers into the future.
"Country of Origin labelling is an important reform that allows consumers to choose to buy Australian timber and understand the potential environmental implications of imported timber. With more dubious, imported product in the Australian marketplace, it's critical that consumers can compare the origins of their product.
"The Coalition's support for native forestry is also essential in a political environment that has seen the industry under attack. The Australians that rely on the native forestry industry deserve to know that the next Federal Government - whatever their political stripes - has their back.
"The Coalition's funding for manufacturing expansion will allow us to do more with our existing timber resource and is welcome to boost capability in goods creation across the sector. The commitment for permanent timber production zones boosts sovereign capability in timber and wood-fibre - especially by enhancing the standing of much needed new timber plantations.
"We are asking all sides of politics to sign up to our Australian Timber. Australia's Future Election Platform in full this campaign and will continue working to secure the best outcomes for our sector from the next Federal Government.
"Forestry and forest products has an important role providing local and highly skilled jobs that support communities, creating essential and sustainable everyday products we all use and helping the economy decarbonise with products made from sustainably Aussie grown resource," Diana Hallam concluded.
