Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Rice. I've already outlined the reasons it would not be a prudent move to do the kinds of things that you're talking about, whether we're talking about supplies or regional economies and jobs. But it is the case that we do want to make sure that Australia's forestry industry is as sustainable as possible, and that's why Minister Plibersek, in responding to the Samuel review said:

Regional forestry agreements are designed to have regard to environmental values, such as old growth forests and wilderness, endangered species, and World Heritage matters.

But they are currently exempt from the EPBC Act—which make them unique.

As part of these reforms, our government will begin a process of applying our new National Environmental Standards to Regional Forestry Agreements.

We will consult with stakeholders on how this will be done.

We want to make sure that the management of our forestries in this country are done as sustainably as possible, but we need to meet some of the current timber and paper product needs that our country has. We flagged an intention to consult with stakeholders as we apply those EPBC principles. (Time expired)