October 6, 2015
Federal Gippsland MP Darren Chester says government departments can help create more jobs in regional towns by purchasing Australian-made paper.
Mr Chester has been working with McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, urging Federal Government ministers and departments to purchase more Australian-made general use copy paper.
He said there was no reason why more government departments could not purchase more sustainable, Australian-made copy paper products which are produced in Gippsland.
“The bottom line is I have been working for several years on a range of issues to secure local jobs in partnership with Australian Paper and the CFMEU,” Mr Chester said.
“I understand that about one quarter of government departments currently purchase Australian-made paper. I believe this figure is unacceptable and more departments should be using Australian-made paper.
“I’ve written to all government departments via their ministers about their procurement practices. All Australians must understand that jobs of workers are placed in jeopardy every time they source paper from a foreign location.”
According to Australian Paper, 97 per cent of its wood is sourced from forests certified either by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS), which is endorsed globally.
Mr Chester said there needed to be a cultural change around procurement of Australian-made paper.
“We have a world class and sustainable Australian forestry industry along with an outstanding recycled paper product, made in the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Chester said.
“This industry is not asking for a hand-out – it is just asking to be added to the shopping list of government departments.
“My belief is this Australian-made product should be supported by government departments at local, state and federal level, along with other businesses that have an interest in seeing regional economies continue to prosper.”
Mr Chester said he uses Latrobe Valley-made paper in his electorate and parliamentary offices and has encouraged other MPs to adopt the same approach.
“My interest is in protecting the jobs we already have and growing new opportunities through investment in new technologies, improving access to markets and encouraging a buy-local procurement culture from all levels of government and the business community,” Mr Chester said.
Caption: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling for more government departments and businesses to buy sustainable paper products made at the Australian Paper mill in Maryvale..
