New polling conducted for the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) in the NSW federal electorate of Gilmore, shows voters overwhelmingly back the electorate's critical native forestry industries, while also expressing strong support for the sector's contribution to the economy and environment, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.
"These polling results fly in the face of disinformation being spread about Australia's sustainable native forestry by activists who live far from the forestry underpinned communities in the seat of Gilmore - and clearly show that the vast majority of voters in electorate regard local forestry and timber operations as critical to support the local economy, local communities and the environment on the NSW South Coast," Diana Hallam said.
Key findings from the UComms polling of 684 Gilmore residents conducted from February 17th to 20th, include:
- 95 per cent of respondents either 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that timber and timber products sold in Australia should be labelled with their country of origin, whether it's Australian or from overseas.
- 8 in 10 respondents, including more than half of those who said they'd vote for the Greens this election, either 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that the NSW South Coast should maintain a sustainable native timber industry to produce world class products like home furnishings, furniture and decking.
- 3 in 4 respondents 'strongly agreed' that Australia should grow more timber production trees to fight climate change and secure Australia's future national timber supply.
- More than 80 per cent believed local forestry and timber industries were important for local jobs and Australia's economy, while more than 64 per cent said they'd be more likely to vote for a political party or candidate with strong policies to strengthen Australia's forestry and timber industries.
The polling also suggests that Liberal candidate Andrew Constance will win the electorate from Labor's Fiona Phillips with a 52.8 (Liberal) to 47.2 per cent (Labor) two party preferred result returned in the poll.
"Gilmore is just one of many federal electorates where forestry and its supply chain is critical to the local economy and local forest management. The residents who live in Gilmore understand the value of forestry and not only the good it's doing for the economy, but also the environment. They can see harvested areas regrowing and they can see that the practices are world leading. At this Federal Election its essential all sides of politics back local forestry. Not only is it what people want, it's critical for the environment, jobs and the economy," Diana Hallam said.
"The fact that more than half of residents polled who said they'd vote for the Greens said they wanted a sustainable native industry to be maintained, should give the minor party some cause for thought about their strident opposition to the practice.
"The overwhelmingly positive response to country of origin labelling also demonstrates the common sense nature of such a reform that AFPA will continue to advocate for along with our broader Federal Election Platform Australian Timber. Australia's Future, which outlines what our national forestry sector and supply chain requires to realise its potential for our national economy, consumers, jobs, the environment and fighting climate change," Diana Hallam concluded.
