Australian Forest Products Association

As part of AFPA's campaign efforts ahead of the Federal Election, we've launched a new website focused on FACTS to help set the record straight about Australia's forest products sector. There's a lot of disinformation out there and it's important people have the right information so they know the truth about what we do. forestfacts.com.au

With the Federal Election fast approaching you'll start to see more of AFPA's campaigning to promote the importance of forestry, timber and wood-fibre for Australia! Just like this happy farmer has below! Australian Timber. Australia's Future. 🌲 🪵 🏚️ 🌳 😊

Celebrating women in forestry and the timber sector this #InternationalWomensDay! As we mark #IWD2025, we reflect on the progress made and the road ahead in building a more inclusive forestry sector. Five years ago, AFPA members took a stand for greater diversity by signing the 2019 Charter on Diversity and Inclusion. Since then, we’ve seen steady growth in women joining the workforce and a 9% increase in women in leadership roles. These gains are worth celebrating, but there’s still more to be done. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, reminds us that real change requires ongoing commitment. New data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows that while the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing sector has a gender pay gap of 13%—better than the national average of 21.8%—there is still work to do. As an industry, we must continue to champion inclusion, reduce the gender pay gap, and foster workplaces where women and diverse groups can thrive. Let’s March Forward together—celebrating achievements while driving action for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future in forestry. #InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction #MarchForward #WomenInForestry #DiversityAndInclusion #IWD2025

Expressions of Interest for transformative and industry-focused forestry research are now open until 14 April 2025, as the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) National Open Call for Research launches its second round. AFPA CEO Diana Hallam said - "After the success of the first round, I’m excited to see what transformative ideas are proposed through the Second National Open Call. I encourage anyone with initiatives that will enhance the productivity and profitability of Australia’s forest industries both now and in coming decades to come forward." We thank AFWI and Minister Julie Collins for progressing these much needed research opportunities! 👉 https://lnkd.in/g8_Hpwxd

MEDIA RELEASE: Voters in Gilmore say - support local forestry to keep economy strong and label timber with its country of origin 👇 https://lnkd.in/g4TyYGG8

This National Pizza Day remember that pizza boxes are recyclable! 🍕 If you celebrated yesterday (we certainly did!), make sure you throw your empty pizza box in the recycling bin and we’ll turn it back into new packaging ♻️

MEDIA RELEASE - AFPA welcomes Productivity Commission paper suggesting red tape removal to encourage housing construction innovation   The Productivity Commission has recommended scaling back ‘unnecessary regulatory impediments’ to encourage greater uptake of modern housing construction methods, including prefabricated and modular construction – in a new research paper released this week.   “This recommendation demonstrates what Australia’s forestry sector supply chain requires to ramp up innovation with timber and wood-fibre products that can contribute to easing Australia’s national housing crisis,” Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Chief Executive Officer, Diana Hallam said today.   The Productivity Commission research paper – 'Housing construction productivity: Can we fix it?' explains numerous issues housing construction is facing – including complex and slow approvals, lack of innovation and scale, and issues around workforce including the retention of skilled workers. In turn, the paper also outlines a number of reform directions including streamlining approvals processes, a review of building regulations, removing impediments to innovation and improving workforce mobility and flexibility.   “Australia’s forestry and timber sector not only supplies traditional framing materials essential for new housing – but is also increasingly broadening into new housing material options, including timber and wood-fibre based prefabricated housing products,” Diana Hallam said.   “Our sector is already innovating in this space – but government reform is needed to spur that innovation curve even further within our sector. Using different types of timber and wood-fibre building products to construct new homes doesn’t only support local jobs and communities, it helps fight climate change through carbon storage.   “The Productivity Commission’s suggested solutions should be heeded by both sides of politics ahead of the Federal Election – so sectors like ours can get on with providing varied housing solutions for Australia,” Diana Hallam concluded. Full PC paper 👉 https://lnkd.in/gAG5jM5H

Today, the Australian Forest Products Association launched its Federal Election Platform for 2025 - 'Australian Timber. Australia's Future.' This document outlines what the full supply chain of Australia's forestry sector needs to thrive into the future - while continuing to provide for Australia: 👷 Quality employment 💰 Economic injection 🏚️ Essential products 🌍 Climate benefits We encourage all sides of politics to sign up to the Platform in full ahead of the Federal Election. Take a look below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gerM2QnZ

With the Federal Election getting closer - the AFPA team including CEO Diana Hallam and Deputy CEO Richard Hyett have been spending time with key MPs and Senators. Last week's meetings included two proud Tasmanians - Brian Mitchell MP - outgoing Labor Member for Lyons and Senator Anne Urquhart - who is contesting Braddon for Labor. Both Lyons and Braddon are critical forestry sector electorates and both Brian and Anne are big industry supporters.