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The Greens have put forward their idea of what should be happening in Tasmania with native forest policy, and it is important that the forestry industry keeps abreast of what this party is proposing. The article below appeared in Pulse Tasmania. Sources: Timberbiz, Pulse Tasmania A bold new proposal has been put forward by the Greens to end Tasmanian native forest logging while creating thousands of new jobs in conservation and eco-tourism. The Greens say their comprehensive $3.98 billion plan to phase out native timber harvesting in the island state over 20 years would be funded by increasing taxes on corporations and billionaires. The proposal would see Tasmania’s Regional Forest Agreement repealed and the logging industry’s exemption from national environmental laws removed. Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said the state could lead the way in climate action and forest protection. “Our forests are a global treasure. They store carbon, protect wildlife and inspire wonder. They should be protected for future generations,” McKim said. “During global biodiversity and climate crises, Tasmania can lead the way in climate action and forest protection. We’ve got the people, the science and the opportunity to build a future based on restoration and care, not destruction.” The plan promises to create 3,579 new jobs in forest restoration, conservation, firefighting, education and sustainable tourism. The say these new jobs significantly outweigh the approximately 290 positions currently in native forest logging. It also includes $50 million to establish new National Parks across Tasmania, drawn from the Greens’ proposed $5 billion Protected Areas Fund. Tasmania remains one of just two Australian states still permitting widespread native forest logging. “With political courage and public investment, we can support those workers and create thousands more good, meaningful jobs that actually heal the land,” McKim said. Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, has previously said that Tasmania’s forestry industry “provides an exceedingly high degree of environmental protection and sustainability”. “We are blessed in Tasmania to have a sustainable, word-class native forestry sector that puts food on the table for thousands of families,” he said in January.  

In the lead up to the Federal poll AFCA and AFPA will be provide a joint election briefing for members next Wednesday 30 April. Source: Timberbiz The briefing will include an overview of AFPA’s election activities, where the parties are positioned on forest industries and results of its advocacy and discussions of potential outcomes and priorities for the next parliament. If you have any questions you would like to have answered during this briefing, you can send these to Tim Lester at tim@afca.asn.au To register for the meeting: https://meeting.zoho.com.au/meeting/register?sessionId=1475101304

Grants of up to $1,500 are now available to drought affected farming families and rural small business owners, for direct, practical support, through the State Government’s Rural Support Grant. Source: Timberbiz Delivered through Rural Business Support (RBS) from the Malinauskas State Government’s Drought Support Package, this assistance offers relief to help cover essentials like council rate, power bills, vehicle repairs and school costs. The $55 million Drought Support Package, which is in addition to the $18 million in initial assistance announced in November 2024, brings State Government’s total drought relief investment to $73 million. The grant is delivered via the RBS Relief Fund, the charity arm of RBS, and is designed to help families who are working with the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which helps to meet people where they are, providing practical relief so they can focus on finding a way forward. The $1,500 grants will assist to help cover essential costs such as: Council rates Utility bills Medical appointments and prescriptions Vehicle repairs School costs and household needs. “Our support package was always designed to provide household relief, as well as long term assistance for our primary producers across the state,” said South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. “This practical assistance ensures our rural communities aren’t faced with unpaid invoices, skipping medical appointments, giving up on school opportunities, or quietly going without.” Farming families and rural small and family business owners can start their Rural Financial Counselling journey by contacting Rural Business Support on 1800 836 211 or by visiting https://www.ruralbusinesssupport.org.au/ The Government has also quadrupled the processing team for the On-farm Drought Infrastructure Grants, through a whole-of-government mobilisation effort. This means vital infrastructure support can be delivered more quickly.