Timber union to fight for every job under new environment laws
Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union
The Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) will continue to fight for every timber job and protect timber workers and communities across the country.
The union reaffirmed this commitment following the passage of new national environment laws in Canberra this week.
TFTU National Secretary Michael O’Connor said the full impact of the new laws on timber supply is yet to be established, but the union expects the industry’s environmental management system to stack up well when assessed against the new, stricter standards.
“The Greens are way off the mark by claiming this is the death of native forestry,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Some Liberal and National Party MPs and industry bodies should be cautious about mimicking Green talking points.”
“Our union expects the sector to do well if the new standards are sensible and applied in a reasonable, evidence-based way — which we’ll be pushing for.”
Under the new laws, environmental assessments of forestry operations currently undertaken through the Regional Forest Agreement framework will shift to an alternative accreditation pathway aligned with the yet-to-be-finalised National Environmental Standards.
“Our call is simple,” Mr O’Connor continued. “The finalisation of the standards — and the assessment of operations against them — must ensure ongoing active and sustainable forest management, support sustainable development in timber communities, and deliver a stronger future for the workers who manage these forests and those whose livelihoods they sustain.”
The union notes that any structural impacts from the new Standards are unlikely to exceed existing pressures on supply — including reductions associated with the Great Koala National Park in NSW and, in Tasmania, the long-forecast 50% decline in native forest sawlog volumes from Sustainable Timber Tasmania from 2027.
Mr O’Connor said the union welcomed the establishment of the Forestry Industry Growth Fund, which will provide access to concessional finance for retooling and upgrades, workforce training, work health and safety improvements and workplace productivity. He also welcomed the recognition of forestry, timber and wood-products manufacturing as a Priority Industry under the Future Made in Australia National Interest Framework, alongside sectors such as hydrogen, critical minerals and green metals.
“These are practical steps the Australian Government is taking to address policy settings and market disruptions affecting supply and profitability,” he said.
“Our union will continue working with the Australian and State Governments, and good, willing and capable employers, to overcome challenges and seize opportunities so that existing timber jobs are protected — and new, well-paid and secure jobs are created,” Mr O’Connor concluded.
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