The timber workers union, CFMEU Manufacturing has asked the Victorian Government to increase the pressure on Bunnings to reverse its ban on timber from Victorian managed forests, a ban that is hurting timber workers and communities in regional Victoria.
It follows the ruling of the Federal Court last week which overturned a decision against VicForests last year, a decision that Bunnings exploited to justify its ban and appease environment groups.
"The ruling of the full bench of the Federal Court in favour of VicForests was a great result for sustainable forest management and the timber workers, their families, and communities which rely on it," CFMEU Manufacturing National Secretary Michael O'Connor said.
"The decision of the Federal court proves what we always knew - that the ban had no real justification.
"The Bunnings ban on a legal, environmentally friendly industry is hurting people, and makes absolutely no sense in the face of timber shortages in the home building sector.
"We are calling for a reversal of Bunnings' unfair ban on Victorian grown, sawn and manufactured hardwood timber and wood products."
Last year, Bunning's parent company Wesfarmers' Managing Director Robert Scott promised that Wesfarmers would preference locally made alternatives where possible.
Instead Bunnings threatened the union, timber workers and community activists with legal action following a peaceful log truck protest at its Traralgon store.
The ban was a further blow to workers and communities after the bushfires of 2019/2020 and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
