Ministerial Release
Forest facts
6th March, 2007
The most up-to-date facts about Australia's forests and forest industry are now available in the pocket-sized publication, Australia's forests at a glance 2007.Produced by the Bureau of Rural Sciences, the fact-filled publication was launched today by the Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz.
"This publication is rich in information - it provides a factual overview of the diversity and distribution of Australia's forests, as well as their economic benefits and conservation values," Senator Abetz said.
"A lot of negative misinformation is put about by the opponents of Australia's world-leading and sustainable forestry industry in an attempt to close it down.
"This fact-filled publication is an essential resource for those wanting to know the truth about forestry in Australia.
"For example, it reveals that Australia has the fourth largest area of forest in conservation reserves in the world, despite having only 4 percent of the world's forests.
"It also reveals that Australia's forest industry supports more than 83,000 full-time jobs, contributes 1 percent of GDP, and will be carbon-positive to the tune of 21 million tonnes per year by 2010.
"These are the sorts of facts which are essential to an informed debate on Australia's renewable forest industry."