Albanese Labor Government helping forestry plan for the long term

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to deliver for the forest and wood products sector with the industry coming together in Hobart today.

Minister Collins joined the Forestry Industry Roundtable hosted by the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership to inform the development of the Timber Fibre Strategy.

The Roundtable included representatives from the forestry sector, unions, and states and territories.

The Timber Fibre Strategy will be an industry-led long-term plan for the future of the forest and wood products sectors.

The aim of the Strategy is to build a sustainable, world-leading forestry and wood processing sector that can help Australia achieve net zero and supply products that are in demand domestically and internationally.

This roundtable gives the forest and wood product industries the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities and have a say on policy solutions in the Timber Fibre Strategy.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $300 million in the future of the forestry industry, which includes:

• Over $100 million for transformative research, development and innovation for the timber industry through Australian Forest and Wood Innovations
• Over $100 million to support the medium and long-term sustainability of our wood processing sector through the Accelerate Adoption of Wood Processing Innovation program
• Over $73 million to expand Australia’s future wood supply through the Support Plantation Establishment program, and $10 million in the industry’s training needs through the Forestry Workforce Training Program

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“As a Tasmanian, I understand just how important Australia’s timber industry is to our economy and our environment, and I want to see it not only thrive, but continue to adhere to our high standards of sustainable forest management and production.

“Timber is a sustainable, renewable product that embeds carbon in products we need. I want to see our Australian timber play a bigger role in our domestic market, and strengthen our exports as well.

“I look forward to seeing what is proposed as part of the Timber Fibre Strategy, to help the government capitalise on our $300 million investment in the industry by working with industry, unions and my state and territory counterparts.”