GUNNS Ltd executive chairman John Gay has been named on a Federal Government strategy panel that will undertake a comprehensive review of Australia's pulp and paper industry.
Innovation and Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr announced the formation of the Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group this morning. It is to report back to him by November.
Senator Carr said in a media statement that the group would undertake a review of the industry and develop a plan to encourage innovation and attract investment in pulp and paper manufacturing in Australia.
He said members of the strategy group would include senior representatives from the leading pulp and paper companies, unions, and all levels of government.
The group will be overseen by Jim Henneberry, general manager of Australian Paper and Mr Michael O'Connor, the national assistant secretary of the CFMEU's Forestry and Furnishing Products Division.
Gunns is currently trying to put a finance package together for its controversial $2.2 billion Bell Bay pulp mill proposal.
Jon Ryder, general manager of PaperlinX's printing and publications division, is also on the panel. PaperlinX is currently trying to sell its Burnie and Wesley Vale mills,
The pulp and paper manufacturing sector employs some 19,000 people and contributes around $1.3 billion a year to the Australian economy, Senator Carr said.
"It is an important industry, particularly in regional areas, so it is vital we get the balance right between environmental concerns and economic activity in order to take Australia forward on a sustainable basis.
"The industry is undergoing a period of rationalisation, particularly in meeting the challenges of the current global recession.
"We need a full and frank assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, which is what this Review will provide.
"Industry and Government need to work together to create an operating environment where it makes good business sense for international firms to invest in Australia.
"Innovation and investment are the keys to achieving a world-class pulp and paper industry," he said.
The strategy group will be chaired by Stephen Payne, who is head of the manufacturing division in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, with Mr Henneberry and Mr O'Connor as deputy co-chairs.
The Pulp and Paper Industry Strategy Group:
Chair: Mr Stephen Payne, Head of Division, Manufacturing Division, Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Deputy Co-Chairs: Mr Jim Henneberry, Executive General Manager, Australian Paper. Mr Michael O'Connor, National Assistant Secretary, Forestry and Furnishing Products Division, CFMEU
Industry - Companies:
Mr Peter Chrisp, Regional President, Norske Skog Australasia Pty Limited
Dr Ross Hearne, General Manager, Corporate Services-South Asia, Kimberley-Clark Australia
Mr John Gay, Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Gunns Limited
Mr Don Matthews, Chief Operating Officer, Amcor Australia
Mr John Murphy, CEO, Pratt Holdings Proprietary Limited (Visy)
Mr Jon Ryder, General Manager, PaperlinX Printing & Publication Papers, PaperlinX
Mr Paul Thompson, President, SCA Hygiene Australasia
Industry - Unions:
Mr Alex Millar, Secretary, Pulp and Paper Workers Branch, CFMEU
Mr Steve Walsh, National President, Printing Division, AMWU
Industry - Experts:
Dr Bob Smith, Board of Directors, VicForests
Dr Nafty Vanderhoek, Research Group Leader, CSIRO
State Government Representatives
Local Government Representatives
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