On behalf of the nation’s forest industries, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), welcomes and congratulates Senator Ross Cadell, who has been announced as the new Shadow Minister for Forestry, Fisheries, Emergency Management and Water. We also thank Senator the Hon Jonno Duniam, who has served for several years in the forestry portfolio, both in government and opposition, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said today.
“We welcome Nationals Senator Ross Cadell to the role and look forward to working with him and the Opposition as we advocate for our supply chain and work on policy vision and solutions for the forestry sector that is incredibly important for employment, manufacturing, sovereign capability, fighting climate change and the environment,” Diana Hallam said.
“Senator Cadell comes from the Newcastle area in NSW, so he’s very familiar with the importance of the industry along the NSW Mid-North and North Coasts, which provides a great grounding to build further knowledge and appreciation for the plantation, native, resource processing and manufacturing parts of the sector, located across Australia.
“While we are excited about Senator Cadell’s elevation to the Shadow Ministry, it’s with some sadness that we farewell Senator Duniam from the forestry portfolio. Senator Duniam has been a dedicated advocate for our sector. Notably, he led a suite of Coalition policies and other commitments to the 2022 Federal Election, many of which were ultimately reciprocated by the Labor Government and are being delivered now.
“Senator Duniam will no doubt continue to advocate for the forestry and forest products sector as he continues service in the Shadow Ministry and as a proud Tasmanian Senator. We wish him well as Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning.
“We also welcome Angie Bell MP to the Environment portfolio and look forward to working with her on a range of issues, as well as Shadow Assistant Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Matt O’Sullivan, Senator Andrew Bragg as Shadow Minister for Housing, which is a critical portfolio for forest industries, as well as Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation, the Hon Alex Hawke. Forestry and its supply chain is of course Australia’s 6th largest manufacturing sector and is embarking on some exciting innovation, for example in the recycling space.
“Like Federal Labor, the Federal Coalition has a strong record of supporting the sector and we’ll work hard to ensure that continues through the 48th Parliament and with cross bench MPs and Senators as well,” Diana Hallam concluded.