More than 3,000 west Australian timber jobs will be saved by the government’s decision to legislate against illegal timber imports, according to unions.
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) said proposed new laws to promote global trade in legally felled timber products and stop unfair competition in Australia between illegal and legal timber suppliers would help protect logging, chipping and milling workers in the forestry industry.
“We are glad to hear that forestry minister Joe Ludwig acknowledges that illegal logging is a major problem for many developing nations and directly threatens Australian timber jobs,” said AWU state secretary Stephen Price.
“We believe that today our members face bigger threats to their job security from the dumping of illegally obtained timber from overseas than from any regulatory framework in Australia aimed at protecting our forests.”
Under the proposals, importers will need to demonstrate due diligence to ensure their timber has not been illegally logged. Sawn timber, panels, pulp, paper, wooden furniture and composite products will be covered.
“The legislation will encourage investment in the west Australian timber industry, provide more job security for timber workers and give consumers and businesses greater certainty about the timber products they buy,” added Mr Price.
