Draft legislation welcomed

The legislation has been drafted as a broad framework that is flexible and can be modified to encompass the details of the agreement reached by the signatories.

The Signatories believe that the legislation should facilitate and be aligned with the outcomes and timing of an agreement.

Industry representative on the Signatories Group, Terry Edwards, Chief Executive of the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania, said that the draft legislation was a good step forward, but will need to be flexible enough to be amended if required, “The legislation is broadly framed and needs to be flexible enough to facilitate and be aligned with any agreement struck by the signatories”, he said.

Vica Bayley from the Wilderness Society said, “We are still working hard on reaching a final signatories agreement – so the final legislation will inevitably need to be fine-tuned to encompass the outcomes of a signatories agreement if reached.”

Timber Communities Australia Chief Executive Officer Jim Adams added that “the means by which any potential agreement would be as durable as possible is also vital for all parties, and will be enhanced by a legislative framework that can encompass the outcomes of a signatories agreement.”

The Signatories last week committed to and the governments accepted a deadline of 23 July to conclude the signatory negotiations and provide a detailed report back to the State and Federal Governments.

The signatories negotiations are continuing to proceed in good faith, with parties working together on collecting critical data for models and options, and an agreement with key components including a shared vision, durability, wood supply, reserves and a transition during this period.

The Signatories are:

Jim Adams representing Timber Communities Australia Ltd

Jane Calvert representing the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union

Dr Hans Drielsma representing the Australian Forest Products Association

Terry Edwards representing the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania

Ken Padgett representing the Australian Forest Contractors Association

Ed Vincent representing the Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association

Dr Phill Pullinger representing Environment Tasmania Inc

Vica Bayley representing the Wilderness Society Inc

Don Henry representing the Australian Conservation Foundation

Fred Ralph representing the Tasmanian Sawmillers Association