New UComms polling conducted for the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) in the Tasmanian federal electorate of Lyons shows voters in the seat want all sides of politics to back in Tasmania's native, plantation and downstream forest industries this Federal Election campaign, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.
Key findings from the polling of 712 Lyons residents conducted in the first week of April, include:
- 8 in 10 respondents either 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that Tasmania should maintain its sustainable native timber industry.
- 9 in 10 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.
- Almost 60 per cent of respondents 'disagreed' or 'strongly disagreed' that forestry plantations should be subject to any special new tax.
- More than 80 per cent of respondents either 'agreed' or strongly agreed' that Tasmania should grow more timber production trees to help fight climate change and help secure national timber supply.
- More than 60 per cent of respondents said they'd be 'more likely' to vote for a local candidate or political party with strong policies to strengthen Australia's forestry and timber industries.
- More than 80 per cent of respondents believe forestry and timber industries are important for local Tasmanian jobs and the economy.
The polling also suggests that Labor candidate Rebecca White will win the electorate over the Liberals' Susie Bower in a cliffhanger - with a 50.94 (Labor) to 49.06 per cent (Liberal) two party preferred result returned in the poll.
Diana Hallam said, "The results of this poll speak for themselves. They clearly demonstrate that voters in Lyons want a local MP and Federal Government that supports one of the electorate's most critical providers of jobs and economic activity, in our sustainable forestry sector.
"Ahead of the election, AFPA calls on all sides of federal politics to commit to our Australian Timber. Australia's Future Election Platform in full - so our sector can realise its potential for the country and the world," Diana Hallam concluded.
