This bill became law on Sep 17th, 2024.
Defence & foreign affairs
Australia keeps the ban on importing illegally logged timber and adds tougher penalties, including criminal, strict liability and civil penalties, when illegal timber or timber products are brought into the country.
Reviews of the 2012 illegal logging laws found enforcement and compliance gaps, and the regulation needed replacement before it sunsets on 1 April 2025. The bill strengthens penalties, requires clearer due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. and notices from importers and processors, and gives inspectors stronger testing, audit and enforcement powers.
Australia had already banned illegally logged timber under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012, but by 2021 the government had started reviewing the regime as concerns grew that illegal imports were still undercutting lawful timber and the existing rules were not strong enough. Labor then took an election commitment to tighten the system, Parliament passed amendments in September 2024, Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. created the Act later that month, and the strengthened regime commenced on 3 March 2025 after proclamation.
The main criticism was not that Australia should stop policing illegal timber, but that some new compliance rules and penalties may be poorly designed, costly and hard for importers to apply in practice without clearer safeguards. Those concerns were raised mainly by the Coalition and some crossbenchers, while broader opposition was limited and much of the debate was about tightening review, drafting and implementation rather than rejecting the bill outright.
Kristy Mcbain MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 17 Sept 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
6 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
174 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia keeps the ban on importing illegally logged timber and adds tougher penalties, including criminal, strict liability and civil penalties, when illegal timber or timber products are brought into the country.
Importers of regulated timber products must have a written due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. process and can be penalised if they do not follow it or fail to lodge a customs declarationA formal declaration lodged with the border authorities about imported goods and compliance details. about that compliance.
Processors of raw logs in Australia must have and follow a written due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. process, but these processing rules do not apply when the raw logAn unprocessed log, which is treated differently from finished timber products under the bill. was imported into Australia.
Importers and raw logAn unprocessed log, which is treated differently from finished timber products under the bill. processors must give the government notice about timber coming into Australia or logs being processed, so compliance action can be targeted earlier and more accurately.
Inspectors and the Agriculture Department get stronger enforcement tools, including timber sample testing, audits, infringement notices, undertakings and court injunctions to check and enforce compliance.
This amendment would include alternative consequence criminal and civil liability provisions for importing illegally logged timber and importing illegally logged timber in regulated timber products (that is, the fault-based offences in proposed new subsections 8(1) and 9(1), the strict liability offences in proposed new subsections 8(2) and 9(3), and the civil penalty provisions in proposed new subsections 8(3) and 9(4)).Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) explanatory memorandum
(c) the person does not make a declaration to the Customs Minister, in the manner and form prescribed by the rules, about the person’s compliance with the due diligence requirements for importing the regulated timber product; andIllegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) as-passed bill text
(4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply if the raw log was imported into Australia.Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) as-passed bill text
Proposed new sections 18B and 18C would enable more efficient and targeted compliance action in relation to timber products and raw logs regulated under the Act. The provisions would help address one of the difficulties encountered during the current Act’s implementation, which is the lack of available information on timber being imported or raw logs being processed.Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) explanatory memorandum
(a) enable inspectors to exercise monitoring, investigation and enforcement powers and to issue infringement notices for the purposes of this Act; andIllegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) as-passed bill text
Context
Australia had already banned illegally logged timber under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012, but by 2021 the government had started reviewing the regime as concerns grew that illegal imports were still undercutting lawful timber and the existing rules were not strong enough. Labor then took an election commitment to tighten the system, Parliament passed amendments in September 2024, Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. created the Act later that month, and the strengthened regime commenced on 3 March 2025 after proclamation.
Australia bans illegally logged timber imports
The 2012 Act created Australia's original legal ban on importing illegally logged timber and became the baseline regime later judged to need strengthening.
Hansard ↗Government begins reviewing sunsetting illegal logging regulations
Coalition speakers said work began in 2021 to review the regulations ahead of their sunset, setting up the later rewrite of compliance and enforcement rules.
Hansard ↗Labor commits funding to strengthen the illegal logging regime
Government and opposition speakers said Labor matched a $4.4 million election commitment to tighten Australia's response to illegal timber imports.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the strengthening bill
The minister said illegal logging remained a profitable environmental crime that harmed forests, communities and lawful Australian producers, and the bill would modernise enforcement and due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. rules.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the amendments, clearing the way for tougher penalties, mandatory notices and stronger inspector powers to police illegal timber trade.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. creates the Act
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turned the bill into an Act, but the strengthened illegal logging regime still required proclamation before it commenced.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Illegal logging changes commence
A proclamation fixed 3 March 2025 as the start date for the strengthened illegal logging framework.
Federal Register of Legislation ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Committee (16/05/2024): Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (20/06/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not that Australia should stop policing illegal timber, but that some new compliance rules and penalties may be poorly designed, costly and hard for importers to apply in practice without clearer safeguards. Those concerns were raised mainly by the Coalition and some crossbenchers, while broader opposition was limited and much of the debate was about tightening review, drafting and implementation rather than rejecting the bill outright.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill’s core aim, but several speakers wanted changes to how it works.
Red tape and practical compliance risks
Coalition speakers said stakeholders had not been properly consulted on some provisions and warned the new due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged., declaration and enforcement rules could add red tape or be difficult to operate in practice for importers and industry.
Penalties, testing and strict liability safeguards
The Coalition backed stronger illegal timber controls but argued the bill should be amended to better handle compliance costs, timber testing rules, importer responsibilities and the use of strict liability, indicating concern that enforcement settings could be unfair or too blunt without refinement.
Too little review and accountability
Some crossbench supporters argued the bill weakened oversight because it removed the existing five-year review framework and left reporting too discretionary, creating a risk that problems with the law would not be picked up and fixed quickly enough.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Moved by Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Australian Greens). Defeated 11 to 102. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed second-reading statement vote. The House rejected the Greens’ attempt to attach a broader native-forest-logging position to the bill.
This amendment would require an independent review of the Act during the first five years after commencement and have the report tabled in Parliament.
This amendment would require an independent review of the Act during the first five years after commencement and have the report tabled in Parliament.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment without a counted vote — the presiding officer judged the ayes louder than the noes, and no member called for a division.
Senate
Moved by Nick McKim (Australian Greens). Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed second-reading statement vote. The Senate rejected the Greens’ attempt to tie the bill to ending native forest logging and related climate and forest protections.
Moved by David Pocock (Crossbench). Defeated 12 to 27. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed second-reading statement vote. The Senate rejected a crossbench call to tighten forest protections and address Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term agreements about forest management that some speakers wanted national environment laws to cover as well..
Moved by Nick McKim (Australian Greens). Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed committee amendment package. The Senate rejected the Greens’ attempt to widen the bill’s core illegal logging definition and related consequential provisions.
Moved by Nick McKim (Australian Greens). Defeated 12 to 31. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed committee amendment package. The Senate rejected the Greens’ proposal to create extra offences covering supply of illegally logged timber.
Moved by Nick McKim (Australian Greens). Defeated 12 to 28. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
A failed second-reading statement vote. The Journal records the Senate rejecting the Greens’ call to connect the bill with ending native forest logging.
Senator McKim’s committee amendment package, decided on voices, would have broadened who could apply for injunctions under the Act.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator McKim’s committee amendment package, decided on voices, would have allowed due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. obligations to be met through specified laws, industry rules or established operational processes.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator McKim’s committee amendment, decided on voices, would have required repeated five-year reviews and reporting on illegal logging and the Act’s response to it.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator McKim’s committee amendment, decided on voices, would have required import notices to include detailed identifying information about the timber product.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator McKim’s amendment package, decided on voices, would have allowed due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. obligations to be met through specified laws, industry rules or established operational processes.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senator McKim’s amendment package, decided on voices, would have required import notices to include detailed identifying information about the timber product.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
McBain supports the bill and says it will modernise and strengthen Australia’s illegal logging laws to better protect the market from illegally harvested timber.
Read in Hansard ↗Shoebridge opposes the bill, arguing that Labor is pretending to act on illegal logging while still backing the destruction of native forests.
Read in Hansard ↗Duniam supports the bill and says stronger checks on timber imports are needed to stop illegal logging, protect consumers, and back Australian producers.
Read in Hansard ↗Ryan supports the bill but wants it strengthened with an amendment requiring regular review of how it works, because she says the current draft drops the existing five-year review and leaves reporting too discretionary.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
7 speakers · 9 contributions · 7 support
“This bill is a necessary step. Whether it will be sufficient will be a matter for further serious review, taken seriously, and I hope to be here to help undertake that on behalf of Hasluck. I hear sometimes a refrain that we should not unduly burden business. The department predicts savings in regulatory costs in these changes. In any event, here we face criminal activity and environmental degradation in a climate crisis. We cannot benefit from those activities and cannot look away as legislators. This bill updates the offence and penalty regime, creates additional compliance and enforcement mechanisms, requires a due-diligence system to be in place, and allows for injunctions and enforceable undertakings, and by so doing, implements recommendations of the statutory review from 2018 and the review of the regulations, completed in 2022.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Australian forest products sector is the world leader in sustainable forest management. But the value of our excellent environmental protection is greatly diminished if Australian timber is replaced by a supply that is illegally logged, devastating the environment overseas. By protecting our industry from illegal logging and rewarding leadership in sustainability, that is exactly the outcome that this bill is preventing. The Australian Forest Products Association, the peak body that represents the many fine men and women in the industry and forest wood and paper products, has thrown its support behind these strengthened reforms.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The amendments in this bill will help make Australia an even less attractive destination for illegally sourced timber and further protect Australia's reputation in international markets as a supplier of sustainable and legally sourced timber products now and into the future. By reducing the volume of low-priced, illegally harvested timber, by making sure they're not supplanting the legal marketers, by reducing the volume of low-priced timber and timber products in the Australian market, the bill helps minimise the negative economic impacts that trade in such products has on local, sustainably produced products, supply chains and industry profitability. We reward those who do the right thing.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise in support of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024, which was brought to the parliament by the fabulous Minister Murray Watt. This bill is an election commitment and an important update to existing legislation. It will ensure that Australia is both well positioned and well armed for success in our fight against illegally logged timber and timber products entering our country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Anthony Chisholm, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Moved amendment
Chisholm supports the bill and says it will modernise and strengthen Australia’s illegal logging laws to better protect the market from illegally harvested timber. He argues the changes will improve compliance and enforcement and help maintain Australia’s reputation for sustainable, legally sourced timber products.
“This Bill seeks to do this, implementing the improvements identified through both the Statutory Review of the Act and the Sunsetting Review of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Chisholm supports the bill and says it will modernise Australia’s illegal logging laws, strengthen enforcement, and improve due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. so the government can better target high-risk timber products. He rejects opposition and Greens suggestions to delay or amend it in ways that would weaken the notice and compliance regime.
“I commend this bill, which will optimise Australia's illegal logging laws to protect our market from illegally harvested timber and illegally logged raw logs, to the Senate.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to speak in support of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024. This bill is a timely piece of legislation because it doesn't only impact the future of our environment in Australia; it also impacts the future of our economy and our global reputation. It will make things tougher for those people who are engaging in the illegal timber trade, with its enhanced scope for monitoring and enforcing the law. It will ensure that Australia's timber trade is a sustainable one, and, in doing so, will protect our natural heritage.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Kristy McBain on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
McBain supports the bill and says it will modernise and strengthen Australia’s illegal logging laws to better protect the market from illegally harvested timber. She argues the changes will improve compliance, enforcement and timber testing while backing sustainable legal timber trade.
“This bill seeks to do just that, implementing the improvements identified through both the statutory review of the act and the sunsetting review of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McBain supports the bill, saying it will modernise and strengthen Australia's illegal logging laws, improve enforcement, and make due diligenceA required check-and-record process importers and processors must follow to reduce the risk that timber is illegally logged. requirements more effective. She says the changes will better protect the Australian market from illegally harvested timber while supporting legal and sustainable timber trade.
“The Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 will modernise and strengthen Australia's illegal logging laws to better protect the Australian market from illegally harvested timber and to support legal and sustainable timber trade. It will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory framework by strengthening the monitoring, investigation and enforcement powers, including through new timber-testing powers and the use of injunctions and enforceable undertakings.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
6 speakers · 7 contributions · 6 support
“That is where the coalition is on this particular legislation. I thank the ministers I have worked with on this legislation. It is important to get this right, and I believe we can. I'm proud of this country's history as a timber processor and producer. I think we can do more of it and do it better; we do it better than anywhere else in the world. I commend this bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024, is an important one, but I would like to highlight that this is a process that the former government started when we were in the government benches. At the last election, the Labor Party agreed to and carbon copied the coalition's forestry policies. We don't mind plagiarism, but we want that to be on the record. All the things that have been said and done since the election are what have me concerned about illegal logging.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It is on that basis that we will allow this bill to pass the House of Representatives, but we also suggest that it should be referred to a short Senate committee inquiry. This is not to thwart nor to block the passage of this legislation. Indeed, we strongly suspect that anyone who is prepared to voice public criticism of this new legislation and/or the process that has led to it in such a Senate inquiry may also choose to criticise the coalition, not just the Labor Party. Our intent in calling for a short Senate inquiry is so that we can genuinely understand, right across the parliament, whether there might still be further amendments to the bill worth making.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In summary, I think we're in a better place now having gone through the Senate review process. I congratulate everyone who's been involved in that process and I end on this note. Australia should have a sustainable timber industry. We should have our own timber industry. We shouldn't have to import timber from overseas. It's far better that timber is harvested in a country which has a very strong rule of law and has the resources to manage a resource that is very sensitive and needs to be managed very carefully. It's far better to do that than to import timber from countries which don't have the benefit of these advantages which Australia has.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The opposition supports this bill because, sadly, it's becoming more and more important that we import more timber. This is because of what's being done to our native forests and our ability to harvest those native forests in a sustainable way. We do need to get this right; we have to make sure that we get the regulatory environment right. It does seem in this one instance that the government is following the very good policies and procedures which were put in place by the previous coalition government. But I take this opportunity to say to the government: getting your planning right as to how we balance plantation timber versus our rural land—our high-producing agricultural land—is incredibly important, and is getting more and more important.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Pat Conaghan on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Conaghan supports the bill because he backs stronger action against illegal logging and says it helps protect Australia's timber industry and local jobs. He notes the measures are only part of the answer, but says they go some way toward supporting and protecting the industry.
“I acknowledge this bill goes some way to do that and I support the principles here to support and protect our industry.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Conaghan supports the bill and says the coalition will help it succeed because it makes needed changes to stop illegal logging and protect the timber industry. He also argues the government should back sustainable native hardwood harvesting rather than undermine it.
“With that said, I will state that this bill does deliver important changes that the coalition had initially outlined prior to the change of government, and I thank them for that. I hope to be able to assist in any way that I can to ensure that our timber industry thrives and to make sure that illegal logging ceases.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
6 speakers · 3 support · 2 oppose · 1 mixed
“I will come to a couple of observations on Senator Duniam's contribution shortly, but I commence by pointing out that this bill, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024, amends the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012. I reflect that the Australian Greens supported the passage of that act through this parliament but said at the time that it didn't go far enough. In a nutshell, that is our response to the current bill: we will support this legislation but it doesn't go far enough. That's why we've got some amendments that I will speak to a little bit later in my contribution that would go some way towards rectifying the more egregious failures in this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“So, while the Greens will be working constructively with the government on this bill to stop illegal logging and crack down on illegal logging, let's not forget that it is criminal in this day and age that we are still logging native forests. Governments are subsidising this. Taxpayers are paying for it. We're paying for our own destruction, future generations will pay for it, our wildlife is paying for it, and it's time we did better.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As mentioned, the Greens support the intent of this bill and welcome any measures taken to prevent illegally logged timber from entering Australia, but this must go hand in hand with protecting our own precious native forests—forests that the Labor government are allowing to be recklessly bulldozed, destroyed and logged as we speak. Australia's native forests are unique and beautiful. They are home to some of the most iconic wildlife, are unceded country for traditional owners and store enormous amounts of carbon. Yet our environmental laws are failing to protect Australia's native forests.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill, the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024, in pretending Labor cares about forests while at the same time greenlighting the wholesale industrial destruction of our native forests, is a pretty obscene bit of narrowcasting from Labor.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 applies to both the importation of raw and processed timber products into Australia and the processing of timber grown here. It creates some stronger protections against illegal logging overseas. However, the bottom line is that this bill is a missed opportunity to change the laws here in Australia in order to genuinely address illegal logging and protect our dwindling forests.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This parliament is being faced with a package of legislation right now that does little to protect our native forests and little to protect our endangered wildlife and native species. The Labor government promised the Australian people that they would fix our environment laws and that they'd stop the extinction of our native animals, yet before this Senate this week as a package of legislation that does not stop any of this destruction. In fact, what we're hearing is that the Prime Minister himself wants to gut protections even further to satisfy the interests of the big mining corporations and the big-business lobby groups.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 4 contributions · 1 support · 2 mixed
“I will be moving an amendment to this bill during its consideration in detail stage in order to push the government further on action in this area, with an aim of appropriate review of this legislation at reasonable periods. I signal to the government my commitment to further action in this area.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“While I do support this bill and feel it is a vitally important step, I also use this opportunity to urge the government to fulfil their promises this term to do more to protect and preserve our forests right here at home by, firstly, cracking down on illegal logging and deforestation by industries other than the timber industry and, secondly, by ending native forest logging once and for all across the entire country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by David Pocock on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
David Pocock supports the bill, but says it should go further by closing the exemption for native forest logging and putting those forests under national environmental law. He argues the government should use the bill to strengthen protections and manage the transition for affected communities.
“I stand in support of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Amendment (Strengthening Measures to Prevent Illegal Timber Trade) Bill 2024 and foreshadow that I will move a second reading amendment. In doing so, I would like to call for more to be done. I'd like to highlight the need for native forest logging in Australia to be better regulated and subject to national environmental laws. The exemption of regional forestry agreements from national environmental laws is driving species towards extinction.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Pocock takes a mixed-conditional position on the bill: he supports tougher action on illegal timber trade, but wants national environment laws applied to Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term agreements about forest management that some speakers wanted national environment laws to cover as well. and a transition package for affected communities. His amendment frames the issue as one of closing a loophole and managing the shift away from harmful native forest logging.
“(b) calls on the Government to remove the loophole that prevents national environmental laws from being applied to Regional Forest Agreements and develop a transition package for impacted communities".”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Record
Authorised instruments
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (20/06/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (16 May 2024): Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Committee report (20 June 2024)
APH bill page notes
