Arabic version: حزب أمة واحدة يتعهد بإعادة قطع الأشجار المحلية في فيكتوريا
According to ABC News, One Nation has pledged to reopen Victoria’s native forests to logging if it wins the state election, while not detailing the cost or mechanism for restoring the industry. Native timber logging was shut down by the Labor government in January 2024. The party’s policy includes protecting old-growth forest and native habitat.
One Nation’s Narracan candidate Ben Lucas said the party supported country-of-origin labelling for timber and wood products, a “local wood first” approach to government procurement, and selective harvesting. He said harvest revenue could support forest improvement and fire prevention under a self-funding model. The party would consult industry leaders and audit Labor’s transition fund spending before deciding on a new approach.
The Liberal-National Coalition is also developing its timber policy. Nationals leader Danny O’Brien has previously promised to restore native forest logging, while timber spokeswoman Melina Bath said the coalition was finalising packages and policies and ensuring costings were completed. Regional Development Minister Michaela Settle said a restart would cost Victorians, citing litigation, timber shortages and bushfire risks behind the transition.
A 2026 Victorian Auditor-General’s report found the shutdown affected 1,000 workers and 200 businesses. Victoria spent $1.5 billion on transition arrangements, with 87 per cent of workers retiring or finding new jobs, although the report said it was unclear whether those jobs met workers’ needs or were sustainable. Orbost chamber secretary Garry Squires said any revival would need to begin slowly, including thinning operations.
Victoria has more than 380,000 hectares of plantation forest and produces about one-quarter of Australia’s plantation-grown wood, valued at about $550 million annually. Victorian Forest Products Association chief executive Andrew White called for a long-term industry plan, citing the need for investment and the challenge of balancing hardwood and softwood demand with forest health and fire management.
