Australian Timber. Australia’s Future
Friday 14 Feb 2025
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has launched its
Federal Election policy platform aimed at illustrating the role
Australian timber can play addressing the current housing crisis and
supplying our nation’s future housing needs, the importance of
securing the future of Australian grown and recycled timber and wood-fibre to enhance our sovereign capability, and promoting healthy and
sustainable native and plantation forestry to provide Australians with
the timber they need and fight climate change.
AFPA Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said, “I’m proud
to launch Australian Timber. Australia’s Future.
This document lays the groundwork for what the full supply
chain of Australia’s forestry sector needs to thrive and I
encourage all political parties to commit to the platform’s
requests in full.”
A summary of the policy requests under our three themes includes:
Meeting Australia’s future housing needs and solving the
current housing crisis
- Delivery of a Prefabricated and Innovative Housing Summit and Wood
First Policy, as well as policies to boost land supply, encourage
greater take-up of modular and prefabricated timber dwellings and
incentivise more timber in construction
- A commitment for an Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme to
incentivise timber used in the built environment and greater uptake of
modern methods of construction
Strengthening our sovereign capability by promoting Australian
grown and recycled product
- Introducing Country of Origin Labelling for timber
- $200 million to fund a Wood and Fibre Innovation, Recycling and
Energy Efficiency Program
- Developing a National Fire Response Plan and National Timber
Security Agreement
- $200 million to extend the Plantation Establishment Grants
Program
Ensuring healthy and sustainable forests to address climate
change
- Continued Federal Government support for native forestry consistent
with IPCC advice
- $40 million to help crack-down on illegally logged timber
- Establishment of a market demand mechanism for the National Nature
Repair Compliance Market that enhances sustainable timber
“Australia’s forestry sector has enormous potential to
contribute more to the national economy, provide new, skilled employment
as we innovate our use of wood and fibre, help address national housing
shortages and meet national emissions reduction targets through fighting
climate change,” Diana Hallam said.
“We strongly welcome and acknowledge the industry support provided
by recent Federal Governments, Oppositions, other political parties and
independents over recent years. We need a continued partnership with
government and policymakers to make the most out of our world leading
forest industry here in Australia.
“AFPA will advocate strongly for our platform ahead of the Federal
Election and we look forward to positive conversations with all sides of
politics,” Diana Hallam concluded.
Source: AFPA
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