LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I WRITE in relation to the state government’s impending announcement in relation to the future of Australian Sustainable Hardwoods, the broader Victorian hardwood timber industries, and the up and downstream industries that they support.
Australian Solar Timbers is a fourth generation sawmill and processing facility based in Kempsey, New South Wales, that specialises in hardwood timber flooring, decking, and parquet.
It has been in operation for close to 100 years.
Traditionally I would have considered ASH as a competitor, however its advancements in value adding, import substitution, and new product development has pushed ASH far beyond the traditional playing field.
As an industry member, I can unequivocally vouch that Australian Sustainable Hardwoods is what the rest of the Australian timber industry strives to become.
The state government should be proud that Victoria boasts such innovation.
Unfortunately however, the broader Australian timber industry is waiting with bated breath as the deadline fast approaches.
The closure of a market leader like ASH, not so much in size, but specifically in innovation, due to untested ideology and political point scoring, will trigger outrage beyond the scenes of the early 90s.
The backlash won’t be limited to Victoria.
The state government’s decision and its legacy will be held to account for pushing an industry to the point of revolt on a national scale.
ASH represents the best of our industry.
It is a beacon of the sustainable hardwood timber industry, an answer to regional job growth and creation, and should be applauded by a government pushing for ways to reduce the state and nation’s carbon footprint.
I do not question the difficult situation the state government faces given the current political landscape.
Presented with mounting pressure from the Greens in inner-city seats of Victoria, I encourage politicians to consider the fact that the Andrews Government will not swing support from Green voters by supporting its calls for the Great Forest National Park.
It will not swing Green voters by applying pressure to the extension of Regional Forest Agreements.
This will be heralded by Greens as a win for its party, and the growing effect it has even as a minor party on a weakening government.
Regional Victoria is calling for strong leadership.
The timber industry is calling for strong leadership.
We are calling on Mr Andrews, and I hope he can hear us.
