Federal Government snubs forestry conference

The Federal Minister for Forestry, Tony Burke, has refused to release funds to allow a government forestry representative attend a critical international forestry conference.

In a response to the Institute of Foresters of Australia’s request for an officer from the Forestry Branch at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) to attend the World Forestry Congress in Argentina (18-23 October), Minister Burke claimed the demands on government were too high for a representative to attend.

Federal Coalition spokesman for Forestry, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the refusal by the Minister to allow a government forestry representative to attend could only be seen as a back-hander to the Australian forestry industry and could threaten our world-standing.

“This is a critical time for forestry and the development of international forestry policy. The Federal Government must be fully engaged in all global policy making processes.

“Instead the slashing of Minister Burke’s Department budget is leaving no resource to allow representatives to attend important international events such as this congress.

“Whether it is the critical matter of climate change policy or the global recession, the Federal Government must make sure it has a seat at the table at international events – not sit back and allow our forestry sector to be threatened.

“Australia, through the Federal Government, also needs to send a message to the rest of the world about our highly innovative and sustainable forestry sector.

“Clearly, sending just the one departmental forestry representative to a globally important forestry conference would not have broken the bank.

“Sadly, I am not surprised by Minister Burke’s snub of the World Forestry Conference.

“Minister Burke has form on not delivering adequate representation for our forestry industry. For example, he failed to have forestry contractors included in the Government’s proposed fuel credits scheme under the CPRS legislation.

“Added to that, the Rudd Labor Government took the axe to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry at the last Budget, forcing it cut back more than almost every other Department – meaning officers are unable now to attend critical international conferences such as this,” Senator Colbeck said.
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry