Peter Dutton's so-called forest policy is a blank cheque for continued destruction of Australia's native forests and a desperate attempt to prop up an industry that's failed economically and environmentally, the Greens say.
"The Coalition's announcement that they will put in place permanent timer production zones in native forests around Australia shows both major parties remain tied to an outdated industry that's lost its social licence due to environmental and climate impacts," Greens Forests Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said
"Native forest logging is not viable financially or environmentally. It's propped up by taxpayer subsidies, pumps out millions of tonnes of emissions, drives species towards extinction and destroys some of the most carbon-dense forests on the planet," Senator McKim said.
"Markets have moved on. The future lies in plantations and large scale rewilding and ecological restoration, not logging old growth forests."
"The Regional Forest Agreements have shielded this destruction from national environment laws for decades. That exemption must end.".
"The industry has had every opportunity to reform and has failed. Forestry agencies have missed environmental certification targets, racked up massive financial losses, and relied on public handouts to keep going."
"Australians overwhelmingly want native forests protected. They want action on climate and environment, and a shift to jobs that care for the land, not clearfell it."
"The Greens are ready to deliver that future based on plantations, forest protection, and a just transition for workers and communities."
