Commonwealth, state, and territory ministers with responsibility for forestry met virtually on Friday 29 November for their second Forestry Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) of 2024.
Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins, chaired the meeting for the first time since being appointed in July 2024.
Three new members were welcomed:
- Queensland, Hon Anthony Perrett MP
- Northern Territory, Hon Gerard Maley (apology for this meeting and represented by senior official Andrew Kirkman)
- Australian Capital Territory, Ms Suzanne Orr, MLA.
Their FMM predecessors were thanked for their contributions:
- the Hon Mark Furner MP, QLD Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries; Minister for Rural Communities
- the Hon Mark Monaghan , NT Minister for Education; Minister for Mining; Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries
- Ms Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water; Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services; Minister for Seniors and Veterans
Ministers received an update on the National Forest Policy Statement review and agreed to provide feedback on a draft consultation paper prior to the next meeting (except Western Australia due to caretaker period prior to their March 2025 election). Ministers discussed FMM workplan papers on fire mitigation. As part of the discussions, state and territory Ministers shared information on fire management activities and approaches to forest residues in their jurisdictions. Ministers considered a paper developed by South Australia and Tasmania regarding research and development capability and innovation. Ministers agreed to prioritise collaboration, consistent longer-term investment models and formal evaluation of programs in future funding arrangements. Ministers also noted the Australian Forest and Wood Innovation (AFWI) Centre launched in early 2024 seeks to address these priorities.
Ministers noted reports on the delivery of FMM workplan items and support measures by jurisdictions, including Indigenous forestry business expansion, plantation and farm forestry expansion, the contribution of forestry to climate change mitigation and a 50 Year outlook for the sector. Minister Collins provided an update on Australia’s engagement in the European Deforestation Regulation.
Ministers agreed to meet next in mid-2025 to review progress against workplan items and industry engagement including an AFWI implementation update.
Ministerial attendees
- Australian Government (Chair): the Hon Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Small Business
- New South Wales: the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Regional New South Wales; and Minister for Western New South Wales
- Victoria: the Hon Ros Spence, Minister for Agriculture; Minister for Community Sport; and Minister for Carers and Volunteers
- Queensland: the Hon Anthony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries
- South Australia: the Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development; and Minister for Forest Industries
- Tasmania: the Hon Eric Abetz MP, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources; Minister for Transport
- Australian Capital Territory: Ms Suzanne Orr, MLA, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water; Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services; Minister for Seniors and Veterans.
Apologies
- Western Australia: the Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business – represented by Stuart West, General Manager, Forest Products Commission.
- Northern Territory: the Hon Gerard Maley MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister for Mining and Energy, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Renewables, Minister for Recreational Fishing – represented by Andrew Kirkman, Chief Executive Officer, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.