Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

It's nice to speak on a bill where I think every member in the House agrees with the intent to prevent detrimental illegal logging impacts, whether overseas or here. We've all seen those devastating photographs of the Amazon in places in Southeast Asia and Asia. This is not something that I think anyone in this House would condone or support in any way. I know that back in 2021 the coalition government commenced considerable work in review of the sunsetting of the illegal-logging regulations. We on this side of the floor were pleased to see many of the policies proposed by the coalition government continued in 2022, when Labor took the reins. To their credit, Labor pledged $4.4 million to strengthen Australia's fight against illegal logging and to stop illegal timber imports from undercutting Australian producers.

Given the strength of the industry in my own electorate of Cowper in New South Wales, I'm particularly grateful for the acknowledgement of our local producers. In fact, the north-coast forestry industry employs an estimated 5,000 people and contributes $184 million to the local economy just in my electorate alone. Unlike those profiteering from illegal timber, our timber industry members pride themselves on the highest ethical and environmental practices. I've seen it firsthand. Matt and Kristy Parker in Dorrigo took me out for a day and showed me their sustainable, world-class logging practices on their property. We know that the New South Wales native hardwood forest industry is worth $1.8 billion to the economy and employees over 9,000 people—more than half of whom are in the north-east in communities just like mine. For generations, they provided a sustainable industry which selectively harvested forests for timber and fibre, and manufactured the resource into high-grade construction such as timber decking, furniture and other products. I also have to acknowledge Hayden Timbers in Rollands Plains, who at the moment employ, I think, more than 50 people at the yard. They are a generational business and have proved that the native hardwood industry is a sustainable one, using sustainable practices.

Our timber providers are critical not just for my electorate of Cowper but also for Australia as a whole. It's no secret that building material costs have been on the rise for some time and there is a critical need to secure and grow our local timber stock—more now than ever. We need to see our sovereignty protected, and to do this we need those jobs protected and to see our sustainable timber stock as well maintained and utilised as possible. We need to provide protection and support to an industry that literally keeps roofs over our heads. I acknowledge this bill goes some way to do that and I support the principles here to support and protect our industry.

My passionate colleague the member for Gippsland, unfortunately in his state of Victoria has seen the decimation—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 17:10 to 17:37

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