Senator Murray Watt, a former Agriculture and Forestry Minister, will replace Tanya Plibersek as Australia’s Environmental Minister in what is one of the biggest shake-ups to Albanese’s cabinet.
“We have the largest ALP caucus in history, since federation. A caucus brimming with capacity, talent and energy in both the House of Representatives and the Senate,” the Prime Minister told reporters today, with Tasmanian-based Julie Collins retaining the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, Clare O’Neil as Housing Minister and Senator Anthony Chisholm (a Queenslander – and former Campaign Director for the Queensland branch of the Australian Labor Party) returning as Assistant Minister for Forestry.
Wood Central understands that Watt, who also served as Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Industrial Relations under Albanese’s first term, will introduce a Federal Environmental Protection Authority, one of the government’s top priorities.
I said very clearly, I want a federal EPA. That was something that was recommended by the review that the Coalition commissioned. I want a federal EPA that supports industry but also supports sustainability. I think that can be achieved. I think that can be achieved, and that’s my objective.
Anthony Albanese told reporters last week
Today, Wood Central spoke to anonymous insiders connected to the Australian Labor Party who said that appointing Senator Watt to the crucial ministry for environment and water was sensible: “Whilst Watt is from the party’s left, he has extensive experience in the Agriculture, Forestry, Industrial Relations and Emergency Management portfolios. During his time as Federal Emergency Management Minister, he was responsible for helping communities in Lismore, on New South Wales’ mid-north coast, home to thousands of timber workers.”
Already, the peak body for Australia’s timber supply chain, the Australian Forest Products Association, has welcomed the new appointments. Diana Hallam, CEO, welcomed Collins, Watt, O’Neil, Chisholm, and Tim Ayres—Minister for Industry and Innovation—to the cabinet.
“On behalf of Australia’s forest industries, I welcome back and congratulate Julie Collins on her re-appointment as our Minister. Julie has an outstanding record of stewardship and delivery for our sector, and we look forward to continuing our positive and close working relationship,” Hallam said. “We also welcome Murray Watt to the Environment portfolio. As a former Minister for Forestry, Senator Watt has an excellent understanding of our industries and regulatory framework, so we look forward to working constructively with him also.”
“It’s a very important time for the forestry portfolio, as the sector works to realise our climate and manufacturing potential while facing numerous challenges, including securing resource supply, dealing with a depressed construction market, and ensuring we have a skilled workforce geared to needs.”
- To learn more about the Federal EPA and its impact on Australian supply, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from last year.
