Diana Gibbs
Australia’s forest and wood products industries are set to benefit from 15 new appointments to the newly developed Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership – a forum for representatives of forestry industries, unions, and government to consult, exchange advice and information, and cooperate on issues facing the sector. Source: Timberbiz
The new body replaces the Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC).
Diana Gibbs, Chair of the Australian Forest Products Association and Michael O’Connor, National Secretary CFMEU, will co-chair the new partnership.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all voices to support the important role of the forest products sector in Australia’s future. Not just of course for the climate and achieving sovereign capability, but also in providing employment and value-adding in the regions,” Ms Gibbs said.
“I truly believe we have a key role providing sustainable products to replace plastics and carbon intensive building materials and it will be exciting to get the Partnership operating to help achieve the outcomes we all need.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt said the partnership would support the Australian Government’s commitment to grow the sector, build on its sustainability and contribute towards Australia’s emission reduction targets.
“Our forestry industry directly employs more than 51,000 Aussies and sustainably harvests and processes significant volumes of timber for local construction and manufacturing, and trade. It’s critical that government receives the best advice to ensure the industry is productive and sustainable into the future,” Senator Watt said.
“The Partnership will provide that advice on how the industry can contribute to Australia’s timber and wood products needs, our emission reduction goals and climate change challenges. It also provides a direct line to industry to work through policy settings for the sector.
“By replacing the previous advisory body — the Forest Industry Advisory Council — and expanding the membership, we can capitalise on the greater diversity of experience and expertise needed to steer the sector through future challenges and opportunities. I’m also pleased to say that the new partnership has over 50% female membership.
“Importantly, this new partnership will operate on a tripartite basis, retaining the involvement of leaders of forestry businesses, while also including the voices of forestry workers, unions and First Nations participants in the industry, who were previously excluded under the former Coalition Government’s model.
“The Government’s Agriculture Workforce Working Group has successfully brought farm employers, unions and government together, to collaboratively design solutions to the agriculture sector’s workforce needs.”
Senator Watt said he expected this new tripartite partnership would embrace a similar, cooperative approach to deal with the forestry industry’s challenges and opportunities.
“The Partnership’s inclusive 15-person membership will possess a wide range of skills spanning production, processing, supply chain, sustainability, research and development, innovation, workforce needs and an understanding of First Nations perspectives,” he said.
“By broadening the membership, we’re ensuring that the body holds a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and environmental challenges the sector faces. It also enables better decision making for the long-term benefit of the industry.
“The establishment of the Partnership was an election commitment and a key priority for the Albanese Government, and I look forward to working with the members.
“The Partnership builds on this government’s focus on greater collaboration, and this is something I wish to drive further with my colleagues as I convene the Forestry Ministers Meeting with my state and territory counterparts in July.
“I look forward to working with the Partnership to deliver on this government’s record $300 million investment in the forestry sector.
“I thank the outgoing members of FIAC for their service and look forward to the new Partnership building on their work.”
The CFMEU Manufacturing Division congratulated the Government for appointing a 40% makeup of worker interests including rank and file trade unionists on the Partnership.
“The inclusion of workers is a welcome change after 10 wasted years where this key part of the industry was excluded by the Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison Governments from the Council,” Mr O’Connor said.
“We look forward to working closely with other workers’ representatives on the council from the Australian Workers Union, employer representatives, and all Council members.
“This tripartite body will deliver advice which should result in positive social, economic and environmental outcomes from the sustainable management use of Australia’s forests and ensure that Government policy delivers for workers, their families and communities,” he said.
The union will continue to push for Federal Government-funded Forestry Hubs to have equivalent worker representation as the Council as opposed to no representation which is the current case.
The Partnership Members
Co-chairs
Ms Diana Gibbs is the chair of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA). She is a resource economist with post-graduate qualifications in environmental studies. She has previously been an economic advisor for the Softwoods Working Group and the Murray Region Forestry Hub. Ms Gibbs is also a director of AgriFutures Australia and has held previous roles as a member (director) of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, as a director of the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, as a director of Riverina Local Land Services, and as chair of Regional Development Australia (Riverina).
Mr Michael O’Connor is the national secretary of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division. He is also a director of Responsible Wood and the co-chair of First Super. Mr O’Connor has previously been the vice president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and a director of ForestWorks.
Members
Mr Harry Burrows is the membership engagement and community organiser at The Australian Workers’ Union – WA Branch. Mr Burrows is a member of the WA Government’s Resources Industry Training Council which advises the state government on training and workforce development needs of the Resources Industry. He also sits on the Native Forest Transition Group representing and supporting timber workers through the WA Government’s closure and transition of the native hard wood timber industry.
Ms Denise Campbell-Burns is the elected president of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division and the chair of ForestWorks. She is also a director of First Super and has previously represented her division on the CFMMEU National Women’s Committee. With over 25 years’ experience in the forestry industry, her breadth of experience incorporates a number of speciality disciplines including work health and safety and industrial relations as well as skill development & training. She has collaborated with a number of government agencies on significant industry projects, delivering meaningful workplace and industry change.
Ms Gina Castelain is a Wik person from the community of Aurukun located on Western Cape York, Queensland. Ms Castelain is the managing director of Wik Timber Holdings, Wik Timber Operations and Wik Projects. She is also a director of Northern Australian Indigenous Mining Services.
Mr Brad Coates is the district secretary of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division in the Greater Green Triangle District. He has previously served in several positions for the CFMEU Manufacturing Division and worked as a sawmill machine operator.
Dr Michelle Freeman is the president of Forestry Australia and a director and principal consultant at Hollow-wood Enterprises. Dr Freeman completed a PhD through the University of Melbourne looking at savanna fire and tree dynamics in northern Australia and has previously served in several native forest management roles in Victoria and New South Wales.
Mr Cameron MacDonald is the executive general manager – forests at OneFortyOne. He is also the chair of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and is a member of the South Australian Forest Products Association’s governing council. Mr MacDonald has previously served as a director of Tree Breeding Australia and AFPA.
Mr Frank Miller is a forestry and agriculture consultant at The Rohatyn Group. He is also the chair of the Northern Territory Ord Valley Forestry Hub and the vice president of the NT Farmers Association. Mr Miller has previously served as the chief executive officer and general manager of African Mahogany Australia.
Mrs Sharon Musson is a timber worker at AKD’s Tumut Sawmill and is the New South Wales President of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division.
Mrs Carlie Porteous is the general manager of the Australian Forest Contractors Association. She is also a director of FSC Australia and New Zealand and a trustee of the Gottstein Trust. Mrs Porteous has previously served as the Manager, Forestry and Fibre Compliance at Visy Industries Australia.
Ms Amber Seehars is a process operator at Hyne Timber’s Tuan Mill, located near Maryborough, Queensland.
Mr Jim Snelson is the chief executive officer of Borg Manufacturing. He is also a director of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and the Australian Woodworking Industry Suppliers Association. Mr Snelson has previously served as a director of AFPA and Forest and Wood Products Australia.
Mr Ian Telfer is the chief executive officer of WA Plantation Resources. He is also the chair of the South West Timber Hub, the president of the Forest Industry Federation of WA and a director of AFPA.
Ms Penny Wells is the outgoing chief executive officer of Private Forests Tasmania and the outgoing chair of the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Hub. Ms Wells has previously held a number of forestry and natural resource management roles in Tasmania over the last 35 years.
