The Forest and Wood Products Council (FIAC) owes its existence to a 2013 Coalition election promise to the timber industry. Its first co-chair, Senator Richard Colbeck, is an advocate for the logging industry managing all forested lands across Australia, including national parks.
FIAC is the now body that makes recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources (or his/her delegate) on proposed legislation or policies.
The Terms of Reference and vested interests of the members of the Forest Industry Advisory Council illustrate the degree to which policy and legislation regarding Australian forests is dictated by the logging industry.
FIAC is Co-chaired by an industry representative with the Minister or the Minister’s delegate. No independent scientific or economic advisors sit on this council. The members are involved in logging and/or logging industry products.
FIAC is delivered through the Forest and Wood Products Council under subsection 11 of the Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002, (RFAs).
There is little wonder then that FIAC recommends to the government that RFAs continue, indefinitely, across Australia.
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