This bill did not become law and is no longer proceeding.
Climate, energy & environment
Native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. in Australia would lose its special federal carve-out because the bill repeals the law that supports Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. and their exemption from national environment laws.
Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. let native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. continue with exemptions from federal environment laws and have failed to meet their intended goals. This bill repeals that framework, ends the agreements, and requires native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. to go through the same EPBC ActAustralia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects. approvals as other extractive industries.
For decades, Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. let most native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and New South Wales continue under a special carve-out from federal environment law, but that framework was increasingly criticised as states moved to end native logging and evidence of old-growth logging, habitat loss and emissions kept mounting. The bill responded by proposing to repeal the RFALong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. system, end the agreements and make native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. go through the same EPBC ActAustralia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects. approvals as other extractive industries, but it was defeated at second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. on 11 September 2024, leaving the federal exemption in place.
The main criticism was that ending the Regional Forest Agreement system and forcing native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. into full federal approvals would cost regional jobs, disrupt timber supply and create uncertainty for forestry communities and businesses. That case was raised repeatedly by Labor, the Coalition, the Nationals and One Nation, with critics generally arguing for tighter regulation and transition planning rather than this bill’s outright approach.
Senator Janet Rice introduced this bill. It was supported by Greens, some crossbench members; opposed by Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, UAP, some crossbench members; and did not pass.
Did it become law?
No
The bill did not complete passage through Parliament.
Final passage
Did not pass
1 recorded vote before the bill stopped proceeding
Time before failure
365 days
From introduction to the final recorded step before the bill stopped proceeding
Meaning
Native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. in Australia would lose its special federal carve-out because the bill repeals the law that supports Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. and their exemption from national environment laws.
Forestry operations in native forests would need approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999Australia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects., bringing logging into the same federal approvals process as other extractive industries.
Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. between the CommonwealthThe federal government of Australia, which makes the national laws discussed in the bill. and states would end when the bill starts, and export control lawsRules that still govern how wood can be exported, even if the forestry agreements are repealed. would still apply to wood from those forest areas.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999Australia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects. would no longer limit federal approval rules for logging in forest areas covered by Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page..
The federal Environment Minister would have to table a yearly report on how native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. affects Australia’s goal of protecting at least 30% of the country’s land by 2030.
The Ending Native Forest Logging Bill 2023 repeals the Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002 which enables logging of Australian native forests to continue with exemptions from our country’s environmental protection laws. It also requires statements from the MinisterEnding Native Forest Logging explanatory memorandum
Critically, forests covered by RFAs have had exemptions from the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). This Bill would see the application of the EPBC Act to forestry operations, ensuring the same level of environmental approvals and protections as are applied to any other extractive industry.Ending Native Forest Logging explanatory memorandum
6. Item 3 clarifies that on commencement of Part 1 of the Act, a Regional Forest Agreement that is in force between the Commonwealth and a State under the RFA Act 2002 is terminated. It also clarifies that:Ending Native Forest Logging explanatory memorandum
9. This item repeals the Division of the EPBC Act which limits the application of Part 3 of that Act in regards to forestry operations in areas covered by Regional Forest Agreements.Ending Native Forest Logging explanatory memorandum
12. The first requirement is in new section 516C which provides for the preparation and tabling of an annual statement from the Minister on the impact of native forest logging on the progress towards achieving Australia’s conservation target to conserve at least 30% of land in Australia by 2030. Australia’s conservation target is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with Target 3 of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (the COP 15 agreement).Ending Native Forest Logging explanatory memorandum
Context
For decades, Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. let most native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and New South Wales continue under a special carve-out from federal environment law, but that framework was increasingly criticised as states moved to end native logging and evidence of old-growth logging, habitat loss and emissions kept mounting. The bill responded by proposing to repeal the RFALong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. system, end the agreements and make native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. go through the same EPBC ActAustralia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects. approvals as other extractive industries, but it was defeated at second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. on 11 September 2024, leaving the federal exemption in place.
Victoria brings forward the end of native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control.
Victoria announced commercial native timber harvesting would end on 1 January 2024, showing a major logging state was already shifting away from the existing system.
Australian Financial Review ↗Labor forestry dispute prompts call for a Productivity Commission review
After a party conference clash over native logging, Labor's internal green lobby pushed for a nationwide forestry review, highlighting growing political pressure around the sector.
Australian Financial Review ↗Bill introduced to repeal the native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. carve-out
Senator Rice introduced the bill to repeal the Regional Forest AgreementsLong-term deals between the Commonwealth and states that let native forest logging continue under a special federal rule set on this page. Act and subject native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. to EPBC ActAustralia’s main federal environment law, which this bill would use to assess native forest logging like other major projects. approvals, arguing the exemption was enabling continued old-growth logging and damage to endangered species habitat.
Hansard ↗Second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. vote defeats the bill
The bill's second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. was negatived, so the proposal to end RFAs and remove the federal exemption for native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. did not proceed.
Parliamentary timeline ↗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 readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. negatived
Key criticism
The main criticism was that ending the Regional Forest Agreement system and forcing native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. into full federal approvals would cost regional jobs, disrupt timber supply and create uncertainty for forestry communities and businesses. That case was raised repeatedly by Labor, the Coalition, the Nationals and One Nation, with critics generally arguing for tighter regulation and transition planning rather than this bill’s outright approach.
Criticism focused mainly on jobs, supply and implementation risks, not detailed legal drafting flaws.
Regional jobs and community harm
Critics said the bill’s practical effect would be to shut down native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control., hurting timber workers, contractors and regional towns that rely on the industry.
Uncertainty from scrapping the RFA framework
Opponents argued repealing the RFA ActThe federal law this bill would repeal to end the special legal carve-out for native forest logging. would unsettle the existing forestry approvals system and weaken the framework that currently underpins native forestry, instead of improving protections through broader environmental reform.
Offshoring environmental damage and timber supply
Some critics said banning native forestry in Australia would not reduce demand for timber, but would push production overseas to places with weaker standards and could worsen overall environmental outcomes.
Further sources
Votes
These were the main recorded votes on the bill.
Defeated 13 to 30. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, One Nation, UAP, and minor parties and independents. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
These are votes on the bill itself rather than amendment votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Rice strongly supports the bill and argues it must pass to end native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control., protect biodiversity and cut emissions.
Read in Hansard ↗Duniam opposes the bill and urges senators to vote it down, arguing that ending native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. would hurt the environment, the economy and climate outcomes by pushing timber production offshore rather than improving forest management.
Read in Hansard ↗McKim strongly supports the bill and says native forest loggingCutting timber from naturally grown forests rather than plantations, which is the activity the bill aims to bring under stricter federal control. should end because it destroys biodiversity, worsens climate change, and harms First Nations cultural heritage.
Read in Hansard ↗Roberts says One Nation will oppose the bill because he thinks the current forestry system already protects the environment better than the Greens proposal.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“These are some of the many reasons the Australian government does not support the repeal of the RFA Act.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 oppose
“I implore all senators to vote against this disastrous bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We won't be supporting this bill by any measure. We will be supporting our forestry industry. I urge this chamber to vote against this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“What we Australian Greens want to see is an end to native forest logging in Australia. It is an outdated practice, it should be condemned to the last century, and it should end.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“If we want to reach zero extinctions, then this Bill must urgently be passed.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We need to fix that, and one of the key things we can do to fix that is pass this bill today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 oppose
“One Nation opposes this bill, because we are the party of the environment and we know the current system is best for the environment. As someone who has personally planted thousands of trees, rehabilitated land and protected coastlines, I know One Nation is now the party of the natural environment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
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 readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading negatived
Second readingThe parliamentary vote where senators decide whether a bill should keep going; this bill was defeated there. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
