DEAKIN, Australia
,
May 22, 2023
(press release)
–
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s announcement establishing a new Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership to work with the Albanese Government on issues facing the forest products sector, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Joel Fitzgibbon said today. Co-chaired by AFPA Chair Diana Gibbs and CFMEU Manufacturing Secretary Michael O’Connor, the Partnership aims to help the Government achieve its own goals around climate, the environment, and sovereign capability through engagement with all relevant stakeholders. A total of 15 representatives from across industry, unions, indigenous, environmental and other stakeholder groups will sit on the Strategic Partnership to advise, consult and cooperate with the Government on plans to ensure the sector realises its full potential and to further enhance its role in addressing climate change and building sovereign capability in the resourcing and manufacture of sustainable and renewable timber and wood fibre products. “Today I thank the Government and Minister Watt for fulfilling a key pre-election commitment by announcing this new Strategic Partnership. With the right strategy and government guidance, the forest products sector can employ more people, make a larger contribution to the economy, make more things here and play an even greater role in addressing the climate change,” Joel Fitzgibbon said. AFPA Chair Diana Gibbs also welcomed the collaboration the Strategic Partnership will provide. “This is an exciting opportunity for all voices to support the important role of the forest products sector in Australia’s future. Not just of course for the climate and achieving sovereign capability, but also in providing employment and value-adding in the regions,” Diana Gibbs said. “I truly believe we have a key role providing sustainable products to replace plastics and carbon intensive building materials and it will be exciting to get the Partnership operating to help achieve the outcomes we all need,” Diana Gibbs concluded.
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