The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes Federal Labor's 'Remade in Australia' brand announced today as a measure that has potential to demonstrate the recycling power of our sector - but the big elephant in the room remains - where does a future Albanese Government stand on Country of Origin labelling for timber and wood?
As part of its Future Made in Australia Plan - Federal Labor has announced 'ReMade in Australia' where products that have a minimum of 20 per cent recycled content, 50 per cent of which must be Australian made - can display a new logo. The 50 per cent local component would increase to 100 per cent in 2030.
Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said, "Manufacturers of timber and wood-fibre products across our sector use a huge amount of recycled resource to make new products. Whether its recycled paper and packaging products being reused, recycled products in particleboard, or even plastics being recycled to create composite timber decking, the forest products sector is one of Australia's great recyclers.
"I'm confident our manufacturers will be very interested to explore participation in the new 'ReMade in Australia' brand which aligns with AFPA's Election Platform Australian Timber. Australia's Future and strengthening national sovereign capability in Aussie grown and recycled timber and fibre resources.
"The big question remains however over whether Federal Labor will commit to Country of Origin labelling for timber and wood? While it's a worthy endeavour to inform consumers about recycled content - informing them about where the timber and wood they're buying comes from in the first place, is as, if not more important. Both the Coalition and One Nation have committed to Country of Origin labelling for timber and wood. We need to know where Labor stands.
"AFPA is also advocating for the removal of regulatory and other impediments that discourage recycling of timber, wood and fibre residues as well as other waste to produce energy, including larger scale biomass energy. There are estimates that up to 60 per cent of used timber ends up in landfill, so innovative government policy around this issue is strongly encouraged.
"Federal Labor is yet to announce its broader forestry policies so we look forward to measures like Country of Origin labelling and others outlined in our Election Platform being committed to," Diana Hallam concluded.
