Australia's forest industries welcome the Hon. Julie Collins MP's continued service as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the new 48th Parliament. Minister Collins has been an ardent advocate for forestry and the supply chain, and we look forward to working with her again this term, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.
Today, Prime Minister Albanese announced the re-elected Labor Government's new Cabinet and broader Ministry, which includes some other key appointments for our sector, including Senator the Hon. Murray Watt's move to the Environment portfolio and the Hon. Clare O'Neil MP's re-appointment as Minister for Housing. AFPA also welcomes Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm's return as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres' appointment as Minister for Industry and Innovation.
"On behalf of Australia's forest industries I welcome back and congratulate Julie Collins on her re-appointment as our Minister. Julie has an outstanding record of stewardship and delivery for our sector, and we look forward to continuing our positive and close working relationship. We also welcome Murray Watt to the Environment portfolio. As a former Minister for Forestry, Senator Watt has an excellent understanding of our industries and regulatory framework, so we look forward to working constructively with him also," Diana Hallam said.
"It's a very important time for the forestry portfolio, as the sector works to realise our climate and manufacturing potential while facing numerous challenges including securing resource supply, dealing with a depressed construction market along with ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs.
"We will get back to work with Minister Collins and other key members of the Executive to discuss the soon-to-be-released Timber Fibre Strategy, how our sector can maximise benefits provided by the new ReMade in Australia brand and be part of the solution on housing sector initiatives announced during the election campaign, and also to broadly ensure forestry and forest products is understood and decisions are made with the best interests of our sector in mind," Diana Hallam concluded.
