The Greens have welcomed today’s announcement that the Victorian Labor Government intends to bring forward the state’s transition out of native forest logging, and are ready to work with the Albanese Government to end logging nationwide.
The Greens’ Ending Native Forest Logging Bill 2023 is already before Parliament to repeal the Regional Forest Agreements, closing the loophole that gives the logging industry a free pass to skirt national environmental protections.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Forests said:
“If the Albanese Government is serious about fighting the climate crisis and protecting our environment, it must now follow the lead of Victoria, and other state governments, and stop all native forest logging.
“Native forest logging is a dying industry and there’s no way around it.
“If Labor bring on the Greens bill to a vote, we can immediately ban all native forest logging across the country.
“The Regional Forest Agreements have allowed reckless destruction of native forests for decades across Australia, pushed native wildlife to the brink of extinction, destroyed First Nations heritage, endangered our water supplies, heightened bushfire risk, and made the climate crisis worse.
“The Government has a responsibility to stop this destruction, protect native forests and fix our broken environment laws.
“The Greens are ready to work with the Albanese Government on a national ban on native forest logging, ensure a just transition for forestry workers and protect what remains of our precious native forests.”
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for the Environment said:
“This is an important breakthrough in Victoria and must force the Federal Government to act – we now need a permanent, national ban on native forest logging across the country.
“In 2023 in the midst of a global extinction and climate crisis there is no excuse for Australia to keep logging our great forests.
“The Victorian Government has today made the right decision for our native forests and wildlife, but this must be nation-wide.
“The Greens will move to make this national and permanent in our Federal environment laws. It is good for the environment, good for the economy and popular.