15 May 2008
The Rudd Government’s federal Budget announcement of $20 million over three years to prepare Australia’s forest industry for the future was welcomed as an important first step by the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI).
“Under the Budget, the Government has recognised the vital contribution of Australia’s forestry industry,” NAFI CEO Allan Hansard said.
“It’s a solid base from which to begin addressing the issues which are essential to ensuring the forestry industry plays a greater role in Australia’s future,” he said.
“While climate change and skills shortages are going to have a substantial impact on forestry going forward, it’s vital for the future of the industry that other pressing issues are also addressed.”
Key policy promises funded in the Budget include:
* $8 million over three years to carry out more research into the impact of climate change on the forestry systems and industries.
* $1 million to help address the forest industry skills shortage by declaring ForestWorks as the new Forest Products Industry Skills Council.
* $1 million to update and expand the existing forest industry database to meet the future information needs of industry and government, including identifying areas of skills shortage and informing workplace skills development.
* $9 million towards a Forest Industries Development Fund, which will expand investment in value-adding initiatives in the forest industries and boost exports.
* $1 million to tackle illegal logging through working with regional neighbours and within Australia to restrict the sale of illegal-logged timber.
Hansard said NAFI looked forward to working with Government and the Minister for Forestry on addressing the issues affecting the industry, which included renewable energy, water sustainability, indigenous forestry, infrastructure and regional development, bio-energy, forest product innovation, taxation arrangements, sustainable forest management and, of course, climate change and skills shortages.
NAFI also recognised that some of these issues would be tackled under two of the new nation building funds – the Building Australia Fund and the Eduction Investment Fund.
“Australia’s forest industry can play a vital role in Australia’s future, provided the industry and Government are working to address the issues affecting the industry now and into the future,” Hansard added.
Chief executive of the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council (A3P) Neil Fisher said the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke had delivered on commitments made during the lead up to the 2007 federal election.
“This is a demonstration of the Minister’s’ support for our sector and recognition of the role our industry can make to addressing climate change,” Mr Fisher said.
“By delivering on these promises the Minister is allowing the forestry sector to continue to better research, improve and advance in key areas such as climate change, skills shortages and emissions trading.”
Rotorua scientist shares Nobel Peace Prize honour
A Rotorua scientist's contribution to international efforts aimed at building world-wide understanding of human-induced global warming has been recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize.
Crown Research Institute Scion's Dr Peter Beets provided expert knowledge on forestry carbon stocks and land use change, to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an organisation established by the United Nations in 1988 in response to growing international debate about the risks of anthropogenic climate change.
The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in part to the IPCC, who in turn presented Beets with a certificate honouring his role in the awarding of the Prize. Beets has been involved with the Panel for the past five years.
The IPCC's remit is to evaluate in an open, objective and transparent way all scientific, technical and socio-economic literature available world-wide concerning man-made climate change. Through international collaboration and peer review, the panel assesses causes, current and projected impacts, and potential remedial measures.
The panel comprises 2500 scientists and researchers from more than 130 nations, the majority of whom work for the panel on a voluntary basis. About 500 members have received a certificate from the IPCC acknowledging their contribution to the prize-winning work of the panel.
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