Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tonight I'd like to join my colleagues alongside the SDA and TWU unions and workers in the lead-up to Make Amazon Pay day on 28 November, a global day of action that coincides with Black Friday. Workers and unions have for some time raised concerns about employment practices in parts of Amazon's operations worldwide, including the use of casual, labour hire and gig-style arrangements as well as the pressure created by high performance targets and monitoring systems. I also note the rallies held by these unions across several states last week. There is ongoing discussion about the tax practices of multinationals and the impact these can have on Australian businesses that meet their full obligations. The Albanese government's workplace reforms and our new procurement rule preventing union-busting practices in government contracts are an important step forward. Every company should treat their workers fairly and contribute responsibly, and no company should profit at the expense of their workers. That is why I am part of the Make Amazon Pay campaign.

On another note this evening, as we enter the summer months and the bushfire season it's important to recognise the vital role the Australian forestry industry plays in protecting our communities and its ongoing efforts in bushfire prevention, mitigation and response. Every year Australia's forestry sector invests more than $100 million directly into preventing and fighting bushfires. Recent survey work by the Australian Forest Products Association provides a detailed picture of how industry supports bushfire prevention and emergency response, working with government agencies, volunteer brigades and landholders. The survey found that forestry businesses maintain 137 fire towers staffed and equipped with detection cameras, an investment worth around $8 million; create fire breaks and roads, and conduct prescribed burning and other mitigation practices, worth almost $65 million; and provide over 1,200 response appliances such as tankers, bulk water carriers and command units as well as 1,500 trained personnel, delivering nearly $30 million in frontline capability. These figures demonstrate how critical the forestry sector is in protecting our regional and rural communities across Australia by reducing fuel loads and strengthening our collective emergency response.

As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products, I am proud to highlight the industry's essential work not only in protecting communities and the environment but also in supporting resilient supply chains that deliver timber, paper and other forest products to households and businesses across Australia. The industry supports around 180,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes around $24 billion to the national economy each year, including $5.2 billion in my home state of Victoria.

The Albanese government is committed to a strong, sustainable forestry sector. We are investing $300 million to strengthen and support the industry now and into the future. Earlier this month the government announced almost $11 million for seven new plantation projects under the Support Plantation Establishment program. These new projects will establish around 5,500 hectares of new hardwood and softwood plantations across New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. The initiative supports private industry, First Nations businesses, farm foresters and state forestry bodies, helping to meet domestic timber demand, reduce emissions and create jobs across the country. Total government funding under the program now exceeds $57 million, supporting more than 30,000 hectares of new plantations nationwide. This investment delivers on key priorities of the Timber Fibre Strategy, which maps a pathway to strengthen the entire supply chain from growers to processors to manufacturers.

I was also deeply disappointed by last week's announcement of the closure of the Associated Kiln Driers sawmill in Gippsland. The loss of 73 jobs will have a profound impact on workers, families and the wider community, especially so close to Christmas. I acknowledge the work of the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union in supporting those affected.

Australia's forestry industry is essential not only for our economy and regional communities but also to meet challenges such as housing, climate change and the building of a future made here in Australia. Its contribution to bushfire prevention, emissions reduction and the materials that we so desperately need for new homes is absolutely clear, and that is why the government will continue to back the forestry sector to ensure that it remains strong, sustainable and ready for the challenges ahead.