Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

The Tasmanian forests agreement signed under the previous Labor government was a significant achievement that ended 30 years of conflict over Tasmania's forests. It was the culmination of significant hard work by industry, conservationists and unions, all of whom agreed to protect important areas, guarantee wood supply and work together to rebuild market confidence in the sustainability of the industry. Australia has international obligations to protect World Heritage areas and looks forward to the World Heritage Committee visit to Tasmania in October this year to discuss concerns regarding the Tasmanian World Heritage area.

Labor will continue to support the implementation of the conditions of the TFA as a future pathway for the forest industry in Tasmania. This includes providing resource security for the iconic special timbers industry under agreed terms. Labor supports this as part of a broad industry plan to achieve the outcomes intended for the TFA. Labor recognises the specialty timbers industry and acknowledges the concerns of that community. Labor has not been able to verify the figures as presented by Senator O'Sullivan, as the ABS and ABARES do not separate specialty timbers from the broader forestry industry. Labor's priority is to balance Australia's responsibility. (Time expired)