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Proposed laws to stop illegal logging imports too weak to work

By Reece Turner - posted Monday, 2 May 2011


In July 2010, Europe, the world's largest timber market, also introduced laws banning the trade in illegal timber.

Case closed? Once again, not so. By the time the federal government went to the polls in August 2010, Labor had still not delivered. However, Minister Burke had developed a stronger stance committing to criminalise illegal timber imports. Greenpeace publicly backed this re-commitment before the 2010 election.

But in March this year, instead of taking the opportunity to create what could be the best laws of their kind in the world, the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig released a watered down version of Labor's previous commitments.

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Before the long-awaited Draft Bill was released, the unusual alliance of major players from the timber industry and environment groups began nutting out the key criteria essential for effective legislation. This resulted in a 'Common Platform', which was sent to Prime Minister Gillard and Minister Ludwig.

The signatories to the 'Common Platform' include IKEA, Bunnings, Kimberly Clark, the Uniting Church, WWF, the Australian Conservation Foundation and Greenpeace. They have called for the inclusion of 10 elements essential for effective legislation, including:

  • A requirement for importers to disclose information at the point of importation

  • Federal government enforcement and monitoring and appropriate penalties

  • Assistance to industry for compliance and assessing the risk of illegal timber imports

  • Harmonisation with other international laws against illegal timber imports

  • Open standing to allow individual citizens and NGOs to take action against illegal timber importers

The signatories have also asked for Government to take the lead by developing a strong procurement policy.

Major pulp and paper products supplier, Kimberly-Clark was particularly concerned: "It is in the interest of Australian businesses that effective measures to stop illegal forest products are brought in and we urge the federal government to include all elements of the Common Platform," said Ross Hearne, General Manager of Corporate Services for Kimberly-Clark.

The Draft Bill is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee for Rural Affairs and Transport with a report due in late May.

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If passed without considerable changes, the Draft Bill will not stop illegal timber ending up in the homes and offices of everyday Australians and will do nothing to stop the devastating impacts illegal logging is having all over the world.

Illegal logging is a crime and these laws are an opportunity for Australia to do its part in stopping it.

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About the Author

Reece Turner is Greenpeace Australia Pacific Forests Campaigner

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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