A Dutton Coalition Government will back in Australia’s renewable forestry industry with a rock-solid commitment of no more lock-ups, Shadow Forestry Minister Senator Jonno Duniam, said today.

Senator Duniam, who was joined at Neville Smith Forest Products in Launceston by all of the Liberal’s 2025 Tasmanian election candidates, said that the announcement backed in the vital industry.

“Only the Coalition can be trusted to stand up for Australia’s native forest industry,” Senator Duniam said.

“Our forest industry is renewable, it’s sustainable, it provides a vital product that we need, and importantly it sustains regional communities.

“A Dutton Coalition Government will not support any further bans on native forestry.

“Not one more tree, not one more stick will be locked up under us.”

Senator Duniam said that the Coalition position on forestry provided a stark contrast to that offered by Labor.

“Shutting down native forestry is in Labor’s DNA. They’ve done it in Western Australia, they’ve done it in Victoria, and they tried to do it in Tasmania the last time they were in power with the Greens in 2010-2013,” Senator Duniam said.

“On Thursday, Labor’s rookie candidate for the seat of Bass spoke the truth when she revealed that she believed that native forestry should be shut down.

“There is no doubt, given half the chance, Labor will try to shut our forestry industry down – especially with the Greens likely pulling their strings in a minority government.

“The only way to support and safeguard our forestry industry is to vote for the Coalition.”