Senator Richard Colbeck
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Richard Colbeck, is calling on stakeholders to put forward their views about the future of Australia’s forest products and forest industry. Source: Timberbiz
Senator Colbeck launched the issues paper Meeting future market demand: Australia’s forest products and forest industry on behalf of the Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) at an industry dinner in Canberra last night.
The Australian Forest Products Association and ForestWorks hosted the dinner.
“This issues paper is the first step in developing an industry-led discussion paper which will guide the future of the forestry industry in Australia,” Senator Colbeck said.
“I am pleased that work is well underway to ensure the industry is well placed to embrace future opportunities to grow and expand the industry.
“We are committed to revitalising the Australian forest industry and it is my expectation that FIAC’s work will influence future forestry initiatives.”
Senator Colbeck encouraged stakeholders to put forward their ideas about the future of the industry by making a submission to FIAC.
Senator Colbeck said the Coalition understands the importance of forestry, particularly to regional communities and is working alongside industry to ensure a revitalised future.
FIAC’s final discussion paper is expected to be released later this year and will capture stakeholder feedback on the issues paper and make recommendations about how best to position Australia’s forest industry for the future.
The Australian Government established the Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) in October 2014 to provide advice from a cross-section of industry participants on issues affecting Australia’s forestry sector.
Consistent with its Terms of Reference, FIAC provides advice specific to the responsibility of the Australian Government on:
- issues facing Australia’s forestry sector
- initiatives to foster investment, growth and the sustainability of Australia’s forestry sector
- infrastructure priorities for continued growth
- strategic priorities to support industry best practice
- long term planning for research and development investments, and
- other forestry issues as requested.
FIAC is co-chaired by Senator Colbeck and Mr Rob de Fégely, a well-respected forest industry expert and leader; nine members and four observers support them with expertise from across the forestry sector.
A key priority for FIAC in 2015 is the development of a discussion paper, to explore the opportunities and challenges for Australia’s forest products sector over the coming decades.
As a first step in developing the discussion paper, FIAC released an issues paper on 25 March 2015, to explore the range of issues affecting Australia’s forestry sector. Written submissions have been invited from interested stakeholders, with submissions closing on 5 June 2015.
FIAC’s issues paper and guidance on how to make a submission are available at the Department of Agriculture’s website at www.agriculture.gov.au/fiacissuespaper. Submissions close June 5, 2015.
