Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) supports the consideration of ‘whole-of-life’ benefits of producing paper products in Australia in government procurement policies and purchasing decisions. Source: Timberbiz
The increased awareness of whole-of-life follows a recent speech by the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that the Shoalhaven Paper mill on the NSW south coast will keep supplying high-security paper to the Government. The Minister said that it was ‘one of the most secure and trustworthy passport documents in the world … and I’m pleased to say that this secure paper is made in Australia.’
AFPA has been calling on the Australian government to consider the whole-of-life benefits of producing wood and paper products, and was encouraged by the recent report by the Senate Committee on Commonwealth Procurement Procedures.
It stated that government procurement policies, as part of the value-for-money assessment, should take into account the impact of the government’s procurement decisions on communities and on the broader economy.
A community meeting in Nowra which included Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis and the CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor, identified ways to achieve a commitment from the federal Government to support the Shoalhaven Paper mill operations, and to take into account issues other than price in government procurement decisions.
“The Shoalhaven Paper mill is an excellent example of a company making innovative products with a strong connection in the region that continues to back the future of paper manufacturing in Australia,” said AFPA CEO Ross Hampton.
“Continued recognition and support for the flow-on benefits of domestic production of paper products will underpin the future of paper product manufacturing in this country, which has significant potential to grow and diversify.”
In 2010, the Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group identified that with the right policy settings the industry could contribute as much as $38 billion to the national economy with a further 3500 jobs by 2020.
Growth opportunities in Australia’s pulp and paper industry reflect the demand for a range of paper products in Australia and Asia.
Benefits from further investment and greater diversification including recognition of whole-of-life benefits, flow-on socio economic benefits, increased recycling and use of wood fibre for renewable energy.
