The Federal Opposition claims extraordinary new evidence has revealed the Federal Government’s signature policy to fulfil a 2019 election commitment to plant one billion trees has not led to a single tree being planted. Source: Timberbiz
The Regional Investment Corporation plantation program – launched in December – was part of a 2019 election commitment to aid bushfire-damaged forestry plantations and help secure Australia’s wood supply.
In response to questions from Senate estimates in February, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment confirmed it had received one application from an eligible business. There have been no loans approved and no trees have been replanted as part of the scheme.
Opposition Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Federal Government had already been forced into an embarrassing backdown on the pledge to plant one billion trees, with a new commitment of 150 million trees announced in February.
“This latest announcement is an embarrassment for Scott Morrison and his claims to support the timber industry,” she said.
“This failure is all the more shocking as Australia is already facing a timber shortage, threatening our construction industry and the jobs it supports.
“This failure is a threat to our nation’s forestry industry and the jobs and investment it supports across the country,” Ms Collins said.
“It is clear the Morrison Government has not done nearly enough to support the forestry industry to help meet its goals.
“Only an Albanese Labor Government can be trusted to deliver for our forestry industry and the jobs and communities it supports.”
Forestry is part of Labor’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, which will help to value add to the sector and unlock new jobs and investment.
Ms Collins said that “unlike the Morrison Government”, Labor would work closely with industry and all levels of government to help grow Australia’s forestry industry.
Assistant Forestry Minister Jonathan Duniam said the Morrison government had a “clear plan” as he attacked Anthony Albanese for failing to include funding for the forestry industry in his budget reply on Thursday.
“The plantation loans are only one element in a suite of measures we are delivering to incentivise growth in the plantation estate, including $86m to support the establishment costs for new plantations, and changes to the water rule to open up forestry regions for access to carbon credits,” Senator Duniam said.
“Our long-term plan is set to grow this industry, and with an election approaching people will have a choice: an Albanese government with no plan to grow our forestry industry, or a Morrison government with a track record of backing-in foresters and regional communities.”
