Forest growers express their thanks to Sen Richard Colbeck

(Canberra 1 December 2015) Australian Forest Growers formally applaud Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck's great support and congratulate him on his elevation to Minister for Tourism and International Education and Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment.

AFG President Kevin Harding said, ‘Senator Colbeck has a long history of positive engagement with the forestry industry and developed strong forest policies which the Coalition government took to the 2013 Federal Election.

‘In his home state of Tasmania he was a regular and welcome attendee at AFG events and a great supporter of private Forestry.

‘He recruited an experienced and professional forester with a background in private forestry, forest science and forest management as an adviser in the portfolio which helped greatly in restructuring the Forest Products Advisory Council consisting of individuals chosen for their expertise in the industry - including manufacturing, growing, private forestry, indigenous forestry, research and investment. 

‘Senator Colbeck should be congratulated for raising awareness about the impacts on private landowners of the extension to the Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area and his success in having native forest and plantation residues included in the Renewable Energy Target.

‘As parliamentary Secretary he advocated for recognition of trees on farms as a source of timber supply for the forest industry as well as their contribution to biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration and carbon storage and understood that  private forestry contributes to farm output.

‘He worked with indigenous land owners to find ways to increase commercial opportunities arising from native forests and plantations under their control and stood up for forestry as ecologically sustainable with foresters as practical conservationists.

‘I understand that the Minister will continue to keep a close eye on Tasmanian forest and agricultural issues as a Senator for Tasmania and I wish him well’, said Kevin.

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Media Contact: Kevin Harding, President Australian Forest Growers Tel: 0410 471 957