Australia politics live: Greens say Gina Rinehart ‘cheering’ gas project approval; Victoria to close two prisons

Follow the day’s news liveGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland government plans to establish a new greater glider forest park as part of a $200m plan to reform the state’s timber industry. The premier, Steven Miles, will today announce he will ban logging in between 50,000 and 60,000 hectares of high value ecosystem within the Eastern Hardwoods region in Wide Bay, north of Brisbane. In addition, a new park to protect the greater glider will be established in the south-east Queensland bioregion.The state government will also appoint an advisory group to develop a 30-year plan for the sector. It will include representatives from the timber industry, forestry experts, the conservation sector, First Nations peoples, the Australian Workers’ Union, construction sector and outdoor recreational groups.Queensland’s timber industry is the backbone of the housing and building sectors. That’s why I’m doing what matters to support timber workers and the industry to continue building our state, while also increasing our protected area estate. The terms of reference released today map out our priorities as a government – that is, timber supply security, environmental protections, jobs and diverse employment opportunities. Continue reading...

Australia politics live: Greens say Gina Rinehart ‘cheering’ gas project approval; Victoria to close two prisons

Follow the day’s news live

The Queensland government plans to establish a new greater glider forest park as part of a $200m plan to reform the state’s timber industry.

The premier, Steven Miles, will today announce he will ban logging in between 50,000 and 60,000 hectares of high value ecosystem within the Eastern Hardwoods region in Wide Bay, north of Brisbane.

In addition, a new park to protect the greater glider will be established in the south-east Queensland bioregion.

The state government will also appoint an advisory group to develop a 30-year plan for the sector. It will include representatives from the timber industry, forestry experts, the conservation sector, First Nations peoples, the Australian Workers’ Union, construction sector and outdoor recreational groups.

Queensland’s timber industry is the backbone of the housing and building sectors.

That’s why I’m doing what matters to support timber workers and the industry to continue building our state, while also increasing our protected area estate.

The terms of reference released today map out our priorities as a government – that is, timber supply security, environmental protections, jobs and diverse employment opportunities. Continue reading...