Tasmania’s native forest logging industry will soon be regulated under federal environment law for the first time in decades.
The Tasmanian and federal governments announced on Tuesday they would negotiate a bilateral agreement covering the future of forestry in the state.
It follows a decision by federal parliament to scrap a longstanding logging exemption in November 2025, under a surprise deal between Labor and the Greens.
From July 1, 2027, Tasmanian forestry will have to meet new national environmental standards. Other industries already do.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has issued a formal notice to begin drafting the agreement, which could accredit Tasmania’s existing forest practices system under the new national standards.
“Formally commencing the bilateral negotiations marks a significant step forward,” Watt said.
He said the federal government believed in “a strong and environmentally sustainable future” for the state’s industry.
The Commonwealth will spend $28 million over two years helping states adjust, with Tasmania able to access up to $8.5 million of that funding.
The money adds to $600 million the federal government says it has invested in forestry since coming to office, including a $300 million Forestry Growth Fund.
Tasmania wants its own forest practices system recognised, rather than having to go through a separate federal process.
Resources Minister Felix Ellis said accreditation of that system was important, while also “avoiding unnecessary duplication and red tape”.
“For decades, the Regional Forest Agreement has provided the foundation for a strong and sustainable forestry industry in Tasmania, supporting regional jobs, investment and responsible forest management,” he said.
But the Greens say the system cannot be trusted to properly assess logging.
Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff said the Forest Practices Authority was “renowned for rubber-stamping the destruction of native forests and threatened species’ habitat”.
She said the state should be ending native forest logging, not locking it in.
The 2021 Samuel Review of federal environment law found regional forest agreements had produced weaker environmental outcomes and relied too heavily on the states to monitor logging.
Both governments expect to finalise the agreement before the new rules take effect in mid-2027.
