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The Coalition wants Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Foreign Investment Review Board to reject the proposed foreign-backed acquisition of Victoria’s Cobungra Station, warning Labor has already shown it cannot be trusted to protect Australia’s productive agricultural land. Source: Timberbiz The proposed sale of Cobungra Station north east of Melbourne near the NSW border to carbon investment manager Silva Capital remains subject to FIRB approval. Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Darren Chester said Australians had every reason to be concerned after Labor approved the foreign takeover of Tasmania’s Rushy Lagoon which will be converted from an agricultural estate into a $142 million pine plantation and carbon project. “Labor has already signed off on the loss of one of Australia’s most productive farming enterprises in Tasmania, allowing it to be converted into a carbon project,” Mr Chester said. “That decision showed Labor is prepared to put its net zero agenda ahead of Australia’s food security, regional communities and agricultural production. “Now Cobungra Station is before FIRB, Australians deserve to know whether the Government will once again wave through the loss of productive farmland. “We cannot continue replacing food production with carbon credits. Australia’s productive farmland exists to feed Australians, support regional jobs and strengthen our national food security.” Mr Chester said the national interest test must recognise that food security is a strategic priority. “Every hectare of productive agricultural land permanently diverted away from farming reduces Australia’s ability to produce food into the future.” Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said Labor’s carbon policies were distorting the agricultural land market and pricing farmers out of their own industry. “Labor’s approach is creating a perverse incentive where foreign-backed carbon investors can outbid Australian farmers for productive land,” Mr Tehan said. “We’ve already seen what happens when Labor is faced with this choice after they approved the sale of Rushy Lagoon. “We don’t want to see history repeat itself at Cobungra. “The Coalition believes Australia’s foreign investment laws should protect productive farmland, not facilitate its conversion into carbon assets.” The Coalition is calling on the Treasurer to reject the proposed acquisition of Cobungra Station and send a clear message that Australia’s productive agricultural land should remain in food and fibre production, not be sold off to foreign-backed carbon investors. The Coalition will also reinstate the Ministerial Veto power so the Minister for Agriculture can veto any project that will lock up prime agricultural land for carbon credits if it will have a significant impact on water, agricultural production and regional communities.

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The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has lashed the Carroll Labor Government for its part in the latest round of job losses in the Latrobe Valley. Source: Timberbiz Opal has announced 84 jobs will be axed at the Maryvale paper mill as a direct result of Labor’s failure to meet its contractual obligation to supply timber. “The non-sensical closure of the native timber industry has been disastrous for the Latrobe Valley workforce,” Mr Cameron said. “In 2019, former premier Daniel Andrews guaranteed 1,000 workers at the mill their livelihoods were secured until 2050, but that was a lie. “Labor pulled the rug out from underneath the mill workers when he went back on his word and shut the industry six years ahead of schedule. “This move had an enormous impact on the mill’s operations and has placed Opal under unsustainable financial pressure.” Nearly 200 jobs were cut when the Maryvale mill ceased production of white paper in 2023, and another 40 were lost in 2024. “Now we are losing another 84 jobs, and it was avoidable. Labor killed off a sustainable industry for political expediency,” Mr Cameron said. “I have requested a briefing with Opal to understand the finer details of this decision and discuss supports available for workers, but one thing is clear – Latrobe Valley families continue to pay the price for Labor’s disastrous forestry policy.” Premier Ben Carroll served as the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty when the white paper mill shut in 2023. Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, said the Premier was liable for the trail of destruction left across the Latrobe Valley. “Ben Carroll sat idly as 200 jobs were lost at Maryvale, he failed to provide support for retrenched workers and backed in the forestry policy that caused this mess,” Ms Bath said. “The Premier is culpable for bringing this industry to its knees and he is responsible for the latest round of job losses in the Valley. “The leader may have changed, but it’s still the same old tired and corrupt Labor Government presiding over the destruction of regional Victoria.”

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The Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub has appointed Mr Johan Revalk as its new Executive General Manager, succeeding Tony Wright, who will retire from full-time work on 14 August 2026 after three years leading the Hub. Source: Timberbiz Mr Revalk has already commenced and will work alongside Mr Wright during a short transition period. A South Australian lawyer and former journalist with The Advertiser, Mr Revalk has held a number of senior leadership roles, including as chief executive of an industry association. The Chair of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, Dr Ruth Schubert, said the appointment marked an important and well-planned leadership transition for the organisation. “On behalf of the Board, I am very pleased to welcome Johan to the Hub,” Dr Schubert said. “Johan joins the Hub at an important time. He will work with the Board, members and partners to build on the strong momentum across industry development, workforce, research and policy. “His experience across law, journalism and senior organisational leadership, including as chief executive of an industry association, brings a valuable combination of governance, communication and stakeholder engagement skills to the role. “The transition period will provide continuity for the Hub’s members, funding partners and stakeholders, while allowing Johan to gain the benefit of Tony’s knowledge and established relationships.” Mr Revalk said he was honoured to be appointed and looked forward to working with the Hub’s members and partners. “I am keen to get out across the Green Triangle, meet the people and businesses that drive the industry, and develop a strong understanding of the region’s opportunities and challenges,” Mr Revalk said. “I am excited by the opportunities in forestry and timber manufacturing. The industry is nationally vital, and the Hub has an important role in bringing industry, government, researchers and communities together around practical opportunities. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation established by the Board, Tony and the Hub team, and to supporting the industry’s sustainable growth, competitiveness and contribution to the region.” Dr Schubert said Mr Wright had made an important contribution to the Hub and the broader Green Triangle region. “Tony has brought strategic thinking, governance experience, regional commitment and a strong ability to work across industry, government and community,” Dr Schubert said. “During Tony’s tenure, the Hub strengthened its role as a trusted regional industry body, delivering practical research, supporting policy development and helping sustain the Green Triangle’s position as one of Australia’s most important forestry and wood fibre regions. “A major recent milestone was the completion of the Hardwood Manufacturing Hub Feasibility Study, funded by the Victorian Government, Victorian Forest Products Association, Industry and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The study examined the opportunity to establish advanced hardwood timber manufacturing capacity in the Green Triangle, with a focus on Western Victoria. “That work formed part of a staged pathway to capture more value from the region’s plantation resources. “A critical earlier step was the ATMAC-funded Fast Commercialisation Trial, which supported the development, market testing and creation of a new Australian-made plantation hardwood engineered wood product – Blue Gum GLT. “The commercialisation work directly informed the feasibility study and the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Precinct Project, helping move the opportunity from analysis and technical development towards future investment and manufacturing.” Mr Wright said he was proud of the Hub’s work, pleased to welcome Mr Revalk and was optimistic about the region’s future. “The Green Triangle has always been home for me. I am originally from Kingston, and I understand how important regional industries are to the prosperity and identity of our communities,” Mr Wright said. “I am proud that the Hub has helped connect industry strategy, government policy and practical delivery in ways that are creating real opportunities for the region. “The hardwood manufacturing work, the Precinct Project, the Forestry Centre of Excellence, new education and training pathways, our workforce development strategy and major private-sector investments are coming together. The Hub is in a strong position, and I am excited to see what happens next.” Dr Schubert also acknowledged Mr Wright’s broader regional contribution beyond the Hub, including his leadership as a former Chair of Generations in Jazz, his service as a director of ac.care since 2020, and his contribution to the Forestry Centre of Excellence as a Board Member and Project Control Group member. Mr Wright began his career as an electrical fitter with the Electricity Trust of South Australia. His executive career has included senior leadership roles across the forest and timber, local government, water and energy sectors. “On behalf of the Board, I thank Tony for his leadership and contribution, wish him every success in retirement from full-time work and warmly welcome Johan as the Hub’s new Executive General Manager,” Dr Schubert said.

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prefabAUS has welcomed the passage of the Building (Approvals and Practitioners) Bill 2026 through Parliament, describing the inclusion of a clear definition of prefabricated building work as a significant milestone in modernising Australia’s building regulatory framework. Source: Timberbiz The amendment recognises the growing role that prefabricated and manufacturing-led construction will play in addressing housing supply, improving productivity and affordability, and strengthening Australia’s sovereign building capability. Executive Chairman of prefabAUS, Damien Crough, said the legislation acknowledges that construction is evolving and that regulation must evolve alongside it. “This is a significant step forward for New South Wales and one that recognises how buildings are increasingly being manufactured as well as constructed. “The Bill doesn’t create a separate regulatory pathway or reduce compliance requirements. Instead, it provides greater certainty for industry, regulators, certifiers, financiers and consumers by clearly recognising prefabricated building work within the legislation.” Mr Crough said the reform demonstrates that governments can embrace innovation while maintaining high standards for building quality and consumer protection. “Good regulation should enable innovation, not create uncertainty. This amendment provides a clearer legislative foundation for modern construction methods while maintaining the rigorous building standards that Australians rightly expect.” Today’s reform reflects several years of collaboration between industry, government, regulators and research organisations to ensure Australia’s building legislation keeps pace with innovation. Through its Building the Future We Want – Smart Building Industry Roadmap 2023–2033, submissions to governments and regulators, and ongoing engagement with industry, prefabAUS has consistently advocated for regulatory frameworks that recognise modern construction methods while maintaining confidence in Australia’s building system. Mr Crough said the passage of the Bill demonstrates what can be achieved when governments and industry work together to deliver practical reforms. “This is more than a definition. It is recognition that Australia’s construction industry is entering a new era,” he said. “As buildings become increasingly designed for manufacture and assembly, legislation must provide certainty for everyone involved in the delivery process, from manufacturers and builders through to certifiers, regulators, insurers and financiers.” prefabAUS acknowledged the NSW Government for progressing the legislation and thanked Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum for supporting a practical reform that will benefit the broader construction industry. “Housing affordability and housing supply remain among Australia’s greatest challenges. Every jurisdiction will need to modernise the way homes are delivered if we are to increase productivity and build the homes our communities need.” “New South Wales has demonstrated leadership by ensuring its legislation reflects contemporary construction practices. We hope this becomes a model for other jurisdictions as they review their own building legislation.” The organisation said the amendment complements broader national work underway to improve productivity, increase housing supply, boost affordability and strengthen Australia’s manufacturing capability. However, prefabAUS said legislative recognition is only the beginning. “The next step is to build a nationally consistent framework that supports investment in Australian manufacturing, strategic procurement, conformity assessment, financing, workforce capability and digital delivery,” Mr Crough said. “Ultimately, this is about creating the conditions for Smart Building, an industry where manufacturing, digital design, automation and construction operate as one integrated system to deliver better buildings more efficiently. ” prefabAUS looks forward to continuing to work with governments across Australia to support the implementation of modern building legislation and to develop nationally consistent policy settings that unlock greater productivity, accelerate housing delivery and strengthen Australia’s sovereign construction capability

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