Joel Fitzgibbon
The Australian Forest Products Association has thanked Joel Fitzgibbon for his commitment to forestry and regional communities during his extensive time as Shadow Minister for Agriculture.
AFPA Chief Executive Officer Mr Ross Hampton said under Mr Fitzgibbon’s leadership the Federal Labor Party has shown strong support for Australia’s renewable forest industries and the 180,000 workers employed across its full value chain.
“Mr Fitzgibbon has been a tremendous supporter of our sustainably managed forest industries and under his leadership the Federal Labor Party has recognised the importance and potential of the sector,” Mr Hampton said.
“Especially the native forest sector and those working in it. Something which, unfortunately, other parts of the Labor Party have at times under-valued.”
“Mr Fitzgibbon has also been a passionate advocate for all primary industries, manufacturing, and blue-collar workers, and his support resonates in those regional communities where our forest industries are predominantly based, and whose enormous contribution to our Australian way of life is often unrecognised.”
AFPA has worked closely with Mr Fitzgibbon since 2013 when he was first appointed to the Agriculture and Forestry portfolios, and in his role as co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Forest Industries.
Mr Hampton said he expects that while Mr Fitzgibbon is moving to the opposition backbench, he will continue to be a passionate advocate for regional jobs and communities, and for the forest industries, as he continues to serve his community.
“We thank Mr Fitzgibbon for his contribution to forestry and agriculture and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”
“We also await with interest the appointment of a replacement to the Agriculture and Forestry shadow portfolio and we can only hope his successor is as committed as Mr Fitzgibbon has been,” Mr Hampton concluded.
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