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Posted: 2024-08-07 18:47:45

As June 30 approached, one of Australia's biggest native logging companies, the scandal-plagued VicForests, was preparing to shut its doors.

It was a moment pitched as the end of native logging in Victoria.

But as she worked to shutter VicForests, the organisation's CEO, Monique Dawson, was already working with other powerful logging bosses to set up a brand new organisation – The Healthy Forests Foundation, which would hire loggers and logging lobbyists from VicForests and elsewhere.

The Healthy Forests Foundation's core purpose, according to ASIC documents, is "the protection and enhancement of the natural environment".

David Lindenmayer from ANU has another view.

"The aim is just to work out ways to keep cutting the forest. It's a front — it's just a way of keeping the [logging] industry going," Professor Lindenmayer said.

In documents registered with ASIC, The Healthy Forests Foundation says part of its purpose is to promote First Nations forest management, which proponents admit will also supply timber.

A prominent proponent of First Nations forest management, Dja Dja Wurrung elder and CEO of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) Rodney Carter said the organisation's creation was a positive thing.

But he agreed with Professor Lindenmayer, that the people behind it were interested in timber production.

"I think they're trying to fill a void that they believe is created from not having a hardwood timber industry."

After the ABC began inquiring about the organisation, it launched its website, which claims Australia has many areas of unhealthy forests.

It said: "By applying Traditional Owner Knowledge with the best available science we will identify unhealthy or vulnerable forests, develop a plan and manage projects to implement the plan."

Screen capture of website showing headshots of Monique Dawson and Deb Kerr

The Healthy Forests website features Monique Dawson and Deb Kerr.(Supplied)

Ms Dawson told the ABC that any claims about the organisation's intent are "premature" since it's still in start-up mode.

"The science is settled that the greatest threats to the health of Australia's forests are invasive species, fire and climate change. The Foundation's work will be focusing on these threats and led by the views and Knowledge of the local Custodians in collaboration with the local community," she said.

Some First Nations leaders are excited about the opportunities, and say removing trees is part of "healing country".

One Indigenous leader said the Healthy Forests Foundation looked like "black cladding" — a way for largely non-Indigenous industries to gain access to resources by taking advantage of Indigenous peoples' access.

Either way, the move puts First Nations people at the centre of Australia's heated logging debate.

A new job for Victoria’s scandal-plagued loggers

VicForests' June 30 closure followed allegations of widespread and illegal logging, referrals to corruption watchdogs and revelations the organisation had spied on conservationists.

An unsealed logging road runs through a cleared section of forest. Debris from logging is scattered over the forest floor.

VicForests was shut down in June.  (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)

According to the Victorian government, that put an end to Victoria's commercial native logging industry.

But some are now worried this new venture shows loggers are still looking for opportunities to continue cutting the forest.

On her LinkedIn page, Ms Dawson announced she would be the CEO of the new organisation.

And within weeks key staff from VicForests announced they had also joined the new foundation including VicForests' communications manager, the traditional owner project manager as well as an environmental consultant.

Deb Kerr, the CEO of logging lobby group the Victoria Forests Product Association, announced she had quit her role and was taking a job at the new foundation.

Sitting on the board of the Healthy Forests Foundation with Ms Dawson — were two of the most powerful people in native logging: Malcolm McComb and Ian Sedger.

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