SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK

Senator for Tasmania

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture

M E D I A R E L E A S E



Media Contact: Jemima Stagg 0438 387 436 jemima.stagg@aph.gov.au

14 May, 2014
Committed to strong and sustainable forestry
industry

The Australian Governments commitment to a competitive and sustainable Australian forestry
sector is reflected in the Budget.

Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, said an
election promise to create a National Bushfire Mitigation Programme was included in the
Budget.

We are honouring our commitment to provide $15 million in the 2014-15 Budget for a National
Bushfire Mitigation Programme to reduce the impact of bushfires, including fuel reduction
programs and long-term bushfire mitigation strategies, Senator Colbeck said.

We are also demonstrating our commitment to the sector by supporting long-term Regional
Forest Agreements. We will establish a 20 year rolling life to each RSA.

As promised, we will reverse the exclusion of native forest sourced wood waste as an eligible
source of energy for Renewable Energy Certificates.

A Forestry Industry Advisory Council is being formed to ensure the views of the forest industry
are considered in the development of the government policy and will be announced soon.

I look forward to working with industry to consolidate a strong future based on sustainable
supply from both plantation and native forests.

We have a strong focus on research and development and the development of new forest
based products providing the construction of material of the 21
st
century.