Sep 20, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. The National Association of Forest Industries welcomed the announcement that it will receive federal government funding of $230,000 to employ a national indigenous employment forestry liaison officer. The minister for employment and workplace relations, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, and the fisheries forestry and conservation minister, senator the Hon Ian Macdonald, announced a new project to support the employment of indigenous Australians in the forestry industry across Australia. Catherine Murphy, CEO of NAFI said her Association was committed to achieving better employment outcomes for indigenous Australians. “Indigenous people have a long and proud history of employment in forestry in previous generations. Our industry wants to ensure that employment opportunities are available, particularly in rural and regional communities where much of our industry is based,” she said. The liaison officer will assist in implementing the federal government’s national indigenous forestry strategy, announced by senator Macdonald, in July this year. The project will initially focus on three pilot areas - Southwest Victoria, South Coast NSW into North Gippsland and NorthernTasmania. Catherine Murphy noted that the three pilot areas have significant and expanding opportunities in all areas of forestry, including planting, harvesting and processing. “Our companies look forward to working with indigenous communities in these areas to provide real employment opportunities and to strengthen the economic base of rural and regional communities” she said. “Under the project the national indigenous employment forestry liaison officer will work with NAFI’s member organisations, Indigenous communities, Indigenous Jobseekers, Job Network members, other employment service providers and the Government. “Careers information, advice and support will be provided to Indigenous communities and the forest and timber industry in these areas, along with development of new strategies to enhance local education, training and employment opportunities,” she added.