Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) (State Codes of Practice) Instrument 2026

Overview

The Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) (State Codes of Practice) Instrument 2026I, enacted by Julie Collins, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, aims to address the need for updated and approved codes of practice for the export of wood and woodchips from specific states in Australia. This legislation was introduced to ensure that the forestry practices of states such as Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory comply with the requirements outlined in the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021. The policy objective of this instrument is to facilitate the export of wood and woodchips by approving the amended codes of practice for these states, thereby ensuring that the forestry practices meet the necessary standards and regulations. The instrument is made under the authority of subsection 2-9(2) of the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021 and will come into effect the day after it is registered.

Scope and Application

The Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) (State Codes of Practice) Instrument 2026 applies to the approved codes of practice for the timber and forestry industry in the states of Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. This legislation mandates that any amendments to these codes, excluding minor amendments, must be approved by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The instrument is crafted under the authority of subsection 2-9(2) of the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021 and becomes effective the day after its registration. The approval of these codes of practice is critical for ensuring compliance with national export controls on wood and woodchips, maintaining standards for sustainable forestry practices across the specified states. It is noteworthy that this legislation does not extend to other states or territories, and its application is strictly confined to the forestry and timber industries within the boundaries of Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

Key Provisions

The Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) (State Codes of Practice) Instrument 2026I, enacted by Julie Collins, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, serves to approve amendments to the approved codes of practice for Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory under the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021. This instrument, which comes into effect the day after its registration, is intended to provide a framework for the approval of amendments to state-specific codes of practice concerning the export of wood and woodchips. Section 6 of the instrument approves the amended code of practice for Victoria, as set out in the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 (Vic.), in effect as of 18 December 2024. Section 7 approves the amended code of practice for Tasmania, as outlined in the Forest Practices Code (2020) Tasmania (Tas.), effective as of 30 January 2025. Section 8 approves the amended code of practice for the Northern Territory, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the Sustainable Forestry Practices – Guidelines for the Northern Territory (2021) (NT), effective as of 17 February 2025. The obligations imposed by the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) (State Codes of Practice) Instrument 2026I on the relevant parties and entities include the requirement to adhere to the approved codes of practice for their respective states. For Victoria, this means following the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014, as amended. Tasmania must abide by the Forest Practices Code (2020) as amended, and the Northern Territory must comply with the Sustainable Forestry Practices – Guidelines for the Northern Territory (2021) as amended. These obligations are intended to ensure that the export of wood and woodchips from these states meets the necessary environmental and sustainability standards. Breach of any provision in this instrument may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the instrument, it is likely that penalties for non-compliance could include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and intent behind the breach, as well as the specific laws governing the export control of wood and woodchips. The instrument relies on the broader framework provided by the Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021, which would set out the potential penalties for non-compliance with these codes of practice.