AGRICULTURE MINISTER’S PRODUCTIVITY ROUNDTABLE
AFPA put forestry’s case at the policy setting event.
Ahead of next week’s Economic Reform Roundtable, specialist sectors have been meeting with ministers around Australia. On Tuesday, it was the turn of the Agricultural sector and, lacking our own specialised roundtable, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) represent forestry at the event, which was convened by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins.
AFPA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said, “Our sector provides the solutions to many of the Government’s challenges, including helping solve the housing crisis and decarbonising the economy.
“It’s important we work with Minister Collins and her Ministerial colleagues in the Albanese Government to get the policy settings right, to improve productivity for our sector and to enhance our national contribution to the economy, climate and the creation of essential products.”
AFPA went into the roundtable with a focus on the importance of strategic regional planning, increased forestry research and development (R&D) investment, improved timber and wood-fibre outcomes, along with improved supply chain technology and policy settings that promote the sustainability of the forestry industry and its products.
These goals align with the Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership’s Timber Fibre Strategy (see Enews 858). It also recommends a number of Albanese Government actions to drive a step change improvement in productivity, including:
- Recognising forestry and wood products as a priority industry under the Government’s Future Made in Australia Network
- Promoting investment in workplace productivity across the sector including trialling the “smarter” High Performance Workplace model to encourage programs, projects and pilots
- De-risking investment in modern manufacturing capability by improving cross-government regulatory reform
“We have a huge potential using our amazing materials, maximising use and value of the resource as well as developing new uses. It’s all key to our future success,” said Hyett.
Directly after the event, Minister Collins said, “Today’s roundtable was an important opportunity to reaffirm the Albanese Labor Government’s strong commitment to putting agricultural productivity front and centre.
“We know that improving our agricultural productivity is good for our farmers, our regional communities, our national economy, and our trading relationships. That is why we continue to collaborate with our farmers and producers on ways we can enhance productivity, support economic growth, and address the challenges and opportunities in our agricultural sector.
“There were a number of constructive discussions today, and I want to thank leaders from across our agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors for their contributions,” she concluded.
MAIN PIC: Minister Julie Collins speaking at the Agricultural Minister’s Productivity Roundtable in Brisbane this week. Image: courtesy Julie Collins/Facebook
