The Greens' continued opposition to Australia's sustainable native forestry industries shows how inaccurate, regressive and outdated their arguments are in the political discourse - as the science shows the enormous environmental and climate - not to mention critical economic benefits the sector provides for Australia, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.
"Like a broken record and far from the progressive force they claim to be, the Greens have announced they're taking a position to end native forestry to the Federal Election. Make no mistake, this stance aims to destroy the economic livelihoods of rural communities, increase bushfire risks across the country, hamper our ability to sequester carbon to fight climate change, offshore more jobs and force Australia to rely on more imported native hardwood for essential products - often from countries that don't adhere to our world leading forestry management practices. The Greens are environmentally irresponsible," Diana Hallam said.
The United Nations' own science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) declares - "A sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit." - IPCC 4th Assessment.
Scientific studies demonstrate that sustainable timber harvesting results in reduced wildfire risk, and contrary to what the Greens like to claim - that it has minimal impact on koala populations - which are at far greater risk from development, traffic, feral animals and other pests and diseases like chlamydia.
"It's really disappointing that the Greens keep trashing this wonderful industry to drive clickbait donations from supporters they continually mislead and deceive. They really should ask themselves how they'll deal with decimated local communities and economies, dodgy imports and the hugely increased fire risks locked up forests create - if they succeed," Diana Hallam said.
"Thankfully, both the Albanese Government, the Coalition and a number of other minor parties and independents are aware of the science and recognise the critical importance of native forestry to our nation. They recognise that we are world leaders in sustainable forestry management which is why they back a sector that provides the lifeblood in many parts of regional Australia. This Federal Election - we need more science informing the political debate, not outdated and irrelevant spin from the Greens," Diana Hallam concluded.
