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HISTORIC AUSTRALIAN FOREST INDUSTRIES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CHARTER CONFIRMED

Forest industries across Australia have agreed on a voluntary Charter on Diversity and Inclusion that will allow organisations to further develop supportive and inclusive workplaces.
“I congratulate the members of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) for this historic achievement. All four Chambers of AFPA unanimously agreed to passing the Charter,” said AFPA CEO, Ross Hampton.

“The Charter originates from the AFPA Women in Forest Industries Workshop which was held in March 2019. At the workshop attendees where asked to identify their top three priorities for industry, one of them being the creation of an industry charter.

“I am thrilled with the work of the Human Resources Subcommittee who helped in developing the Charter, based on the initial commitments from the Tasmanian Forest Industry Diversity Charter, drafted by the Tasmanian Future Leaders Group – FWPA/ARLF. The Charter contains eight commitments from each organisation who sign up to the Charter,” said HR Subcommittee Chair, Stephen Ryan.

“This includes an undertaking to develop a diverse and skilled workforce, reflective of our communities, building a culture of inclusiveness, equal pay for equal work and promoting flexible working arrangements in the workplace.”

The Charter has a requirement for participating organisations to report on progress via a survey which will be issued annually by the Forest and Wood Products Association. Reporting on diversity will provide industries with its first baseline data to understand exactly where forestry sits. It will also allow members to follow how they progress over coming years.

“AFPA is proud of the development of the Charter and appreciates the work of Members in developing a document for all of industries. The Charter is a great example of our renewable forest industries potential and the positive impact we can have on regional jobs and economic growth,’ said Mr Hampton.
ENDS

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