Forest industries confirmed in Federal Labor’s national reconstruction growth plan

Shadow Agriculture Minister the Hon Julie Collins address the AFPA June Members Dinner.

The Federal Opposition’s Shadow Minister responsible for forest industries, the Hon. Julie Collins, has made her first address to an Australian Forest Products Association Members’ Dinner, confirming forest industries will feature in Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund for growth.

Representatives from across Australia’s forest industries are meeting in Canberra this week, with all states represented. Included among the many discussions has been the path forward to the Federal Election and maximising the benefits for forest industries through the process.

Ms Collins was appointed in January this year as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, which includes the forestry portfolio, bringing an understanding of the importance of forest industries from her home state of Tasmania.

In her first address to AFPA members last night, Shadow Minister Collins confirmed forest industries will feature as an important part of Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund growth plan, ahead of the election.

We only named seven sectors that we want to invest in [in the National Reconstruction Fund] and one of them is agriculture, forestry, and fisheries – Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Julie Collins, 22 June 2021

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese announced the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund in March, to drive economic development, boost sovereign capability and diversify the economy.

AFPA Chair Greg McCormack welcomed Ms Collins’ recognition that Australia’s sustainable forest industries should play a key role in Australia’s climate change mitigation goals and national economic recovery.

“Australia is experiencing major timber supply constraints right now, which only makes it even more important that all politicians have clear, workable plans to enhance sovereign capability by growing our renewable supply of construction timber to service future generations,” Mr McCormack said.

“It’s been terrific to have Shadow Minister Collins outline her positive views on forest industries, and we look forward to working with her as we move towards the Federal Election, so the Opposition can put its best foot forward on forest industries policy,” Mr McCormack concluded.

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