AFG has a robust mechanism for the development of policy with direct input from our members.  The biennial Policy Forum is comprised of the AFG Board of Directors and delegates from our 23 branches.  The Policy Forum has produced a range of policies that identify important areas for improving the resilience, viability and contribution of the private forestry sector.

AFG Policies are prepared to assist Government, decision makers and AFG branches and members in further developing policy that recognises AFG priorities.
AFG held its 4th Policy Forum in Sydney on the 21st and 22nd of October 2009. At the Forum, policy recommendations were debated and resolved.  At the most recent Policy Forum, for the first time, delegates met in State Groups to consider priorities for their State which are available in the State Policy section of this site.

The the full Policy Statements can by downloaded by clicking on the link below.

AFG Policy Statements 4th edtion, 14 Mb

AFG Policies can also be accessed individually via the links below:

Private Forestry is a Positive Land Use

1.   Forestry Is A Legitimate Land Use - 939Kb
2.   Dealing with Public Perceptions of Forestry -  1.25 Mb
3.   Private Native Forestry -  378.98 Kb
4.   Environmental Services Markets -  1.41 Mb
5.   Natural Resource Management -  603.89 Kb
6.   Forestry for Multiple Purposes -  1.01 Mb
7.   Indigenous Forestry -  1.57 Mb
8.   Promoting Forestry Education and Training -  1.44 Mb
9.   Addressing Illegal Imports -  1.52 Mb

Forest Growing Helps Address Climate Change

10.  Climate Change -  2.13 Mb
11.  Emissions Trading -  752.46 Kb
12.  Bioenergy -  381.29 Kb

Market Access is Essential

13.  Market Access and Competition -  608.40 Kb
14.  Market Access and Transparency -  742.90 Kb
15.  Availability of Market Information -  323.54 Kb

Forest Industry Standards are High

16.  Chemical Use and Plantation Forestry  -  323.26 Kb
17.  Code of Forest Practice -  254.73 Kb
18.  Water -  330.51 Kb
19.  Fire Management -  1.03 Mb
20.  Certification -  1.83 Mb
21.  Occupational Health and Safety -  717.83 Kb
22.  Access to Genetic Diversity -  372.84 Kb

Government Policy Support is Required

23.  Property Rights -  1.12 Mb
24.  Government Responsibility for Extension and Technical Support Services -  1.23 Mb
25.  Government Responsibility for Road Funding -  304.96 Kb
26.  Government Responsibility for Land Valuation and Rates -  1006.29 Kb
27.  Land Use Planning -  323.49 Kb

Equitable Tax Treatment is Needed

28.  Appropriate Tax Treatment for Plantation Forests -  371.87 Kb
29.  Non-Commercial Loss and the Tax Commissioner's Discretion -  1.59 Mb
30.  Tax and 'Forests as Superannuation' -  344.24 Kb
31.  A Prepayment Rule in the Tax Treatment of Forestry Managed Investment Schemes -  313.00 Kb

Research, Development and Extension is Crucial

32.  Supporting Innovation in Private Forestry -  1010.88 Kb
33.  Research, Development and Extension -  728.25 Kb
34.  Genetic Modification and Forestry -  689.89 Kb
35.  Control of Native and Introduced Browsing Animals -  323.90 Kb
36.  Forest Health -  1.03 Mb

Appendix

Glossary for AFG Policy Statements -  965.96 Kb