Emma Comer (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australia's forests are part of who we are. They tell a story of our continent—ancient, resilient, and rich in life. They sustain our wildlife, our soils and our water. They sustain communities right across regional Australia. A healthy forest means a healthy nation. That's why the Albanese Labor government stands unequivocally for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry—one that protects our environment, strengthens our economy and provides secure, skilled jobs for regional Australians.

We don't see forestry as a choice between jobs and the environment; we see it as a partnership between people, science and the land itself. Australia's forestry sector is a pillar of the regional economy, supporting over 51,000 direct jobs and contributing billions to the economy every single year. Our government is steadfast in its support for a sustainable and innovative Australian forestry industry, which includes both native forestry and plantations. Our approach is about balance: protecting the forests while managing the industry responsibly so they continue to provide the essential renewable materials Australians rely on every day. Because, when forestry is managed with care, when it is guided by evidence and long-term vision, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in regional prosperity and in environmental protection.

This government has a clear, forward-looking plan for the future of forestry. We are backing the industry with record investment, supporting innovation, new skills and modern manufacturing that adds value right here at home. We're investing in the next generation of foresters, engineers and researchers through the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of sustainable timber science. This includes a landmark investment of $300 million to improve capacity, drive innovation and secure the jobs of the future in the forestry industry.

We are building a workforce for the future through the Forestry Workforce Training Program, because the people working in our forests are the backbone of regional economies and the custodians of these landscapes. We're partnering with industry through programs that modernise processing, improve efficiency and create low-carbon materials that will help Australia build the homes and infrastructure for the future.

We also recognise that forestry is more than just timber; it's about country. Over half of Australia's forested land lies on the Indigenous estate, a living testament to tens of thousands of years of stewardship. We are committed to working in partnership with First Nations peoples, learning from cultural knowledge that has sustained these ecosystems and prevented catastrophic fires for thousands of years. We continue to work closely with states, territories and industry through the Forestry Ministers' Meeting to ensure a stable and sustainable national framework that gives certainty to workers, businesses and communities alike.

Australia's forestry sector supports thousands of jobs and contributes billions to our national economy, but, beyond these figures, it supports communities, towns and families that depend on the land and who understand the importance of caring for it. Our latest State of the forests report shows that the total area of Australia's forests continues to grow, proof that sustainable management and environmental protection go hand in hand.

Forestry also plays a vital role in keeping our community safe. The industry's equipment, skills and experience are essential to fire management, from hazard reduction burns and firefighting to recovery after disasters. Our approach to forestry is rooted in balance—balancing conservation with jobs, sustainability with growth and tradition with innovation. We're investing in forest restoration, supporting new plantation projects and backing advanced manufacturing that adds value right here in Australia.

A strong forestry sector doesn't just mean strong exports; it means strong regional communities, good local jobs and a healthy environment for generations to come. Working together with industry, workers and First Nations custodians, we can ensure that Australia's forests remain a source of pride well into the future. The Albanese Labor government is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the forestry sector because this is an industry that doesn't look backwards. It grows forward, it grows jobs, it grows innovation and it grows hope—hope for a future where sustainability and prosperity walk hand in hand.

On this side of the House, we believe that the best way to protect our forests is to value them, not just as resources but as living systems that sustain our planet and our people. Through record investment, genuine collaboration and a deep respect for nature, we are ensuring that the forests we pass on to our children will be stronger, healthier and more resilient than the ones we inherited. That is Labor's vision: a sustainable, thriving forestry industry built on science, shaped by partnership and guided by the care of the land that sustains us all.

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