Delivering commitment to forestry industry

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, announced the establishment of the Forest Industry Advisory Council at the Australian Forest Products Association dinner in Hobart last night.

“The establishment of a Forest Industry Advisory Council was one of the Coalition’s key election commitments to revitalise the forestry industry. I am pleased to deliver on that promise and announce the members of the council,” Senator Colbeck said.

“The council will advise Government on building a positive future for the forestry industry in Australia. Members will also provide informative consultation and recommendations on proposed legislation and policies impacting on the industry,” he said.

Senator Colbeck said council members have a broad range of forestry expertise and are well-placed to inform Government about key issues impacting the sector.

“The councillors come from a range of sectors within the forestry industry and community, including sawmilling, private forestry, plantations, wood product importers, and manufacturers,” he said.

“I congratulate members on their appointment to the council and look forward to working with them to revitalise the forestry industry.”

The council will meet in a few weeks to discuss issues including research and development, opportunities for commercial forestry under the Carbon Farming Initiative, investment for new forests and processing, update of the National Forest Policy Statement, and emerging uses for wood fibre and cellulose products.

Senator Colbeck will co-chair the council alongside experienced forester, Mr Rob de Fégely.

Senator Colbeck recognised the previous forestry advisory council and thanked members for their contribution to the industry.

The Australian forestry industry is vital in many regional communities around Australia and contributed about $7 billion to our national gross domestic product in 2012–13.
The council members are:

• Mr Rob de Fégely, with experience in forest management, NSW
• Mr Ian Dickenson AO, with experience in private forestry and farm forestry, Tas
• Mr Vince Hurley, with experience in the sawmilling industry, Vic
• Mr Andrew Hurford, with experience in the sawmilling industry, NSW
• Ms Linda Sewell, with experience in plantation management, Vic
• Mr Nils Koren, with experience in timber importation, Vic
• Mr Andrew Leighton, with experience in pulp and paper manufacturing, NSW
• Mr Ron Adams, with experience in research and development, WA
• Ms Karina Coombes, with experience in Indigenous forestry, NT
• Ms Michelle Freeman, with experience in forestry communities, Vic
And the observers are:
• Mr Ross Hampton, representing the Australian Forest Products Association, ACT
• Mr Gavin Butcher, representing the Forestry and Forest Products Committee, WA
• Mr Ric Sinclair, representing Forest and Wood Products Australia, Vic
• Mr Michael Hartman, representing ForestWorks, Vic
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Senator for Tasmania Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture