Hon. Eric Abetz MP: Labelling imported timber a must

Posted 17 February 2025

Harvesting and selling wood Native regrowth forest management PFT

---

The Tasmanian Liberal Government welcomes calls for Australia to adopt label of origin requirements for all imported timber.

Media Release - 13 February 2025

Hon. Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources

The Tasmanian Liberal Government welcomes calls for Australia to adopt label of origin requirements for all imported timber.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, threw his support behind the Australian Forest Products Association, echoing calls to make it easier for consumers to choose where their timber comes from.

“We have a renewable and sustainable forestry industry in Tasmania, both plantation and native, that produces a high-quality product following global best-practice,” Minister Abetz said.

“With the shutdown of native forestry in Victoria and Western Australia, we are seeing more and more timber imported into Australia from places such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and South America.

“Consumers simply can’t have confidence that these imported timbers are produced and harvested according to the same stringent environmental standards we have in Tasmania.

“By purchasing Tasmania timber, consumers can be confident that they are purchasing a renewable and sustainable product that supports local jobs and value-adding.

“We make no apologies for backing Tasmania’s sustainable and job-rich timber industry through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future against questionable imported products.”