We welcome suggested changes to improve enforcements, effectiveness and strengthen the regulation of timber import and processing to ensure the risk if illegal logs in supply chains in Australia is reduced.

However, we have serious concerns regarding the proposed introduction of deemed to comply arrangements. We consider that proposal to seriously undermine the effectiveness of the legislation at a time when ensuring illegal timber is removed from Australian supply chains could not be more pressing – an extinction crisis in which Australia holds the fastest rate of mammal extinction globally.

Habitat loss caused by logging is a key threat to many species at risk of extinction in Australia and overseas, and is recognised as such in Commonwealth legislative instruments such as Conservation Advices under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).