Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm particularly proud to stand here on behalf of the Albanese government and talk about its unwavering and strong support for sustainable and innovative forestry industries in Australia—an industry that is vital not only to our national economy but to the lifeblood of regional communities like the one that I represent in Paterson. In fact, in Heddon Greta, the Cox Bros Timber mill has supplied and is today supplying timber. In fact, in my home I've got the receipts from the house that my grandfather built. He got the timber from that mill in Heddon Greta.

As member of the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products, I take personal interest in the vibrancy of this sector. In fact, it probably runs a little bit closer to the core than that, because, two years ago, my wonderful husband, Nick, gave up a 33-year career in business to go back to his roots. He started his own rural fencing contract business. He and his young offsider have been out in the heat and the wet and all the conditions for the last two years building rural fences. Let me tell you, I know more about iron bark, stringy bark, white mahogany, tallowwood—all of the hardwoods—because you need that to build rural fences. It is absolutely important to have a good and reliable hardwood supply. We've heard a lot about furniture. We've heard a lot about homes. But please don't underestimate the humble fence. Whether you're trying to keep them out or keep them in, it's very important. Fencing—don't let that go unnoticed.

This government recognises both native forestry and plantation timber. Native forests provide high-grade products such as flooring and furniture and structural timber—and the fencing, don't forget about that! Without access to these resources, we risk relying on imports from other countries. They have got less environmental control and less stringency in their controls often. It's not just a number; it is so important that we keep this $278 million sector alive in our economy. It sustains communities. It also plays such a role in those other businesses that are reliant on it. Let me be clear, the day-to-day management of native forests is the responsibility of state and territory governments, and it's a big responsibility. But, at the federal level, we provide a stable national framework, including the regional forest agreements, which balance environmental protection with industry certainty, ensuring our forestry sectors can thrive for generations to come.

The Albanese Labor government is investing in the future of forestry with a landmark $300 million package to improve capacity, drive innovation and secure jobs in the long-term. That is very important. There is $10 million alone in forestry workforce training and $8.6 million to extend the national network of regional forestry hubs. These are all really important initiatives. We want to keep our forestry going. We're also working hand in hand with forestry through initiatives like the Timber Fibre Strategy, linking forestry to national priorities such as housing and ensuring collaboration with state and territories governments, and we've taken a firm stand against illegal logging, with world-leading laws that give Australians confidence in the legality and sustainability of the timbers they buy.

Australia's forestry sector is a living legacy supporting over 51,000 direct jobs, contributing billions to the economy and safeguarding forests of over 134 million hectares. And—let me just say—it is also in very important to our Indigenous estates. More than half of this forest land sits on those Indigenous estates. Let me tell you, our First Nations people were the first foresters of this country. They involved themselves in clearing and cultural burning, and, from some of the research I've done and things I've seen over the years, our bush was better maintained then than this wild greenie theory of just letting it be bush. That doesn't work and, let me tell you, you've only got to stare down a bushfire to understand that. We need forestry. We need to manage our bush. It is vitally important. This government understands the balance between environmentally responsible and sustainable forestry and being able to keep this vital industry going on many levels.

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