March 30, 2015
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has extended a challenge to MPs, Senators and government departments using imported paper in their offices to switch to Australian Paper.
Mr Chester told Federal Parliament he found it “appalling” that there was a long list of Australian government departments which do not source their office requisites from Australian-made paper.
“In weeks to come, I will start naming the departments. There is a long list of Australian government departments that continue to use imported paper,” Mr Chester said.
“I cannot understand how it can even be possible that paper imported to Australia from Germany, Austria or Indonesia could compete with an Australian made product on price, quality or environmental credentials.
“This is a very important Australian industry. It is a very important Gippsland industry.”
Mr Chester’s speech to Parliament coincided with meetings with representatives of the Australian forestry and wood products industry in Canberra last week.
This included briefings from AUSTimber, Forestry division of the CFMEU and Institute of Foresters of Australia. Mr Chester also sat with Latrobe City Council representatives at the Innovation in Action Dinner, hosted by Australian Forest Products Association and ForestWorks.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester spoke about the benefits of buying Australian-made paper with forestry representatives from the CFMEU, Travis Wacey, Anthony Pavey and Alex Miller.
