Rice, Sen Janet

Senator RICE (Victoria) (16:31): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator RICE: The Australian Greens support the use of Australian paper if it is paper produced from plantation stock and from recycled stock, so it does not involve the destruction of native forests and the destruction of our precious wildlife, including Leadbeater's possums in the forests of the central highlands of Victoria. Australia is perfectly capable of making paper and having Australian jobs— Senator Whish-Wilson: Mr President, on a point of order. I am sitting in front of Senator Rice and I point out to the Liberal Party that Senator Heffernan's party is in half an hour, and I am trying to hear Senator Rice's motion The PRESIDENT: Thank you. I remind all senators, particularly those who are on my left at the moment, to keep the noise down to zero whilst we listen to Senator Rice. Senator RICE: Australia is perfectly capable of making paper that would create Australian jobs and support Australian industry that is produced from plantations and recycled sources. That is the direction we need to be heading in to make sure that we can get over this divide between protecting our forests and protecting jobs. There should not be a divide. With 85 per cent of the wood products that come from Australia already sourced from plantations, we need to increase this to 100 per cent.