The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture and Water Resources Committee has published its report Aussie logs for Aussie jobs: inquiry into timber supply chain constraints in the Australian plantation sector.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 24 March 2021

The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture and Water Resources Committee has published its report Aussie logs for Aussie jobs: inquiry into timber supply chain constraints in the Australian plantation sector. The Committee’s inquiry considered challenges preventing growth in Australia’s timber industry and investigated potential solutions to current issues. The Committee Chair, Mr Rick Wilson MP, noted the ongoing decline in the extent of the domestic plantation estate, and stated that ‘more needs to be done if the timber industry is to flourish into the future.’ ‘From greater investment in forestry research and development capabilities, farm forestry, and the exciting new possibilities presented by carbon storage initiatives, the industry is ripe for innovation and growth. With the appropriate policy settings, the plantation industry may once again have the potential to expand, and indeed thrive.’ Mr Wilson said. Mr Wilson also highlighted the importance of encouraging greater transparency in softwood pricing. The Committee recommended the Australian Government support stakeholders to develop a voluntary code of conduct for the timber industry to facilitate long-term supply contracts between producers and processors for the mutual benefit of both. Mr Wilson added ‘it is anticipated that such an arrangement would better support the growth of an efficient domestic processing sector, while reducing the risks associated with reliance on export markets for plantation owners.’ The Committee’s report can be found at the inquiry website. Media inquiries Elysia Harverson, office of Mr Rick Wilson MP, Chair elysia.harverson@aph.gov.au 0477 360 087 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources has launched an inquiry into timber supply chain constraints in the Australian plantation sector.

Media release issue date: Friday, 12 June 2020

The House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources has launched an inquiry into timber supply chain constraints in the Australian plantation sector. Australia’s forest products manufacturing sector is worth more than $23 billion per year. Currently, Australian plantations are unable to fully meet the sector’s demand for timber, resulting in more than 900 million cubic metres of sawn softwood being imported each year. Mr Rick Wilson MP, Chair of the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee, stated that ‘more than 50,000 people are directly employed in the forestry sector in Australia, with the bulk of those working in wood product manufacturing.’ ‘It is therefore critical for regional economies across Australia that the timber supply chain is operating effectively. The Committee will be examining domestic softwood producers current and future demand for wood, the ability of the plantation sector to meet this demand, and any constraints in the supply chain reducing the plantation sector’s ability to meet demand’ Mr Wilson said. The Committee is accepting submissions to the inquiry until Monday, 17 August 2020. For further information on making a submission please visit the inquiry website. Media inquiries Elysia Harverson, office of Mr Rick Wilson MP, Chair elysia.harverson@aph.gov.au 0477 360 087 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.