Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
The Australian forestry industry is expressing disappointment that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not re-instated a full Minister for Forestry. Source: ABC Rural
The industry took the recent Prime Ministerial change as an opportunity to ask for a minister dedicated to the industry, a position which was abolished a couple of years ago.
The Managing Director of forestry company P F Olsen, Pat Groenhout, said the industry would welcome a change of heart from the new Prime Minister.
“We would certainly warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s reconsideration of a full portfolio for forestry,” he said.
“We think it’s a good news story for the Federal Government, we think there is a lot of work to be done to continue to generate the job increases in key regional parts of Australia.
“It’s always disappointing when you feel like your sector isn’t getting the key recognition it deserves as a key part of the economy, particularly in regional Australia.”
As a result of the recent Ministerial changes in Canberra, Senator Richard Colbeck who formerly represented forestry, was promoted to assistant Minister for Tourism and International Education.
Mr Groenhout commended Senator Colbeck who he said did a fantastic job of representing the industry.
“We certainly hope to establish a similar relationship with whoever has responsibility going forward.”
It is unclear who will take the reins of representing the industry, but the new Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, is a likely candidate.
Mr Groenhout said that while forestry missed out on this opportunity for a full dedicated Minister, the industry will continue to lobby for strong representation.
“I have no doubt that our association will continue to push”
The Minister for Forestry position was abolished in 2013, with the responsibility given to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture.
The title of ‘Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’ was also changed to ‘The Department of Agriculture’ a number of years ago.
The Australian Products Association described the name change as “ill-advised”, but Mr Groenhout said he had full confidence the Federal Government appreciated the importance of the industry.
“I have no doubt that they believe in the future of the industry, we have got no reason to think anything different.”
