The Tasmanian Forest Products Association has today welcomed the third tranche of the Liberal Party’s forest policy ahead the 2024 election.
TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, said this announcement offers the industry certainty of supply and stability, which will allow them to invest in their businesses for the long term.
“The forestry industry is very diverse. We have not only private estate owners and sawmillers, but also businesses as diverse as plywood manufacturers, paper producers, and developers of cutting-edge engineered wood products, so developing policy with industry is essential to meet our various needs,” Mr Steel said.
“But by offering long term contracts to existing Tasmanian businesses, as well as guaranteeing hardwood plantation supply and pausing the current public estate contract negotiations, the Tasmanian Liberals seems to have found a good balance,” Mr Steel said.
“Today’s announcement shows the Liberals have listened to industry concerns and have acted swiftly to ensure the future success for all our businesses and securing thousands of jobs in regional Tasmania.
“And while we welcome the extra resource being made available to our businesses, we continue to insist that any expansion of the public estate must follow due process, including considering balancing the conservation value, the opportunities for aboriginal management and access for the sustainable forestry sector.”
Mr Steel said the Liberals have backed TFPAs Election Wishlist – a road map for all political parties and candidates on how best to protect regional communities, the Tasmanian economy and the sustainability and profitability of our members businesses.
“With both major parties having now thrown their support behind Tasmanian forestry we look forward to working with whoever triumphs at the coming election to ensure the future success of our local Tasmanian businesses, and the thousands of regional families employed in forestry across the state,” Mr Steel said.
The TFPA Election Wishlist can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/4bPyfDF