Diana Hallam Resigns as CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association

Why It Matters

Hallam’s departure comes as AFPA steers a $16 bn USD industry critical to Australia’s decarbonisation agenda, making leadership continuity vital for policy influence and supply‑chain stability.

Key Takeaways

• Diana Hallam steps down after two years as AFPA CEO.
• Acting CEO Richard Hyett will lead during search for permanent chief.
• AFPA’s $24 bn (≈$16 bn USD) supply chain employs 80k directly, 100k indirectly.
• Industry advocacy focuses on forest products’ role in Australia’s 2035 decarbonisation targets.

Pulse Analysis

The Australian Forest Products Association sits at the nexus of a $24 billion (approximately $16 billion USD) supply chain that underpins housing, infrastructure and export markets. With 80,000 Australians directly employed and another 100,000 in supporting roles, the sector is a substantial economic engine. Its policy arm, AFPA, has become a key voice in Canberra, lobbying for the inclusion of timber and engineered wood in the nation’s climate strategy and for regulatory reforms under the EPBC Act.

Leadership turnover at a peak moment adds a layer of uncertainty. Diana Hallam, a former senior public servant and chief of staff to former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, leveraged her government experience to elevate forest‑product advocacy during the 2025 federal election and the Albanese government’s 62‑70 percent emissions‑reduction target for 2035. Her successor, acting CEO Richard Hyett, brings operational expertise from plantation expansion and timber‑security initiatives, but will need to quickly cement relationships with policymakers to sustain momentum.

The broader industry is riding a global surge in demand for low‑carbon building materials, as construction codes tighten and investors prioritize sustainability. Australia’s forest sector is positioned to capture a share of this market, provided it can navigate trade tensions, such as recent U.S. tariff measures, and align with decarbonisation pathways. Stable leadership at AFPA will be instrumental in shaping regulations, securing funding for plantation growth, and ensuring the sector’s contribution to Australia’s climate goals remains robust.