The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes new Prime Minister Scott Morrison and thanks his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull for his service, AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ross Hampton, said today.
“AFPA will work with a Morrison Government to guarantee the best possible future for our renewable forest industries which contribute about $24 billion to the economy each year and provide 120,000 direct jobs across the full value chain,” Mr Hampton said.
“The Coalition Government announced the development of the National Forest Industries Plan last year recognising the need to provide our renewable forest industries strategic policy and support.
“Industry stakeholders are keenly awaiting the content of the National Plan and are looking forward to its announcement on September 12.
“Forest industries need a range of policy reforms including a commitment for new trees in the ground, in both plantations and farm forestry, a commitment for certainty for native forestry, as well as fast tracked infrastructure, increased focus on R&D, and investment in bioenergy,” Mr Hampton concluded.