Native logging will no longer be allowed in two states from next year, and there are calls for other jurisdictions to follow suit. But some experts and industry representatives say the bans could be devastating for developing nations.

Victoria has banned native logging on Crown land from next year.

The Greens, environment groups, and sections of the federal Labor Party all want a nationwide end to native logging.

A motion to end logging across Australia was defeated at the Labor Party’s national conference in Brisbane this week, after strong lobbying from senior Labor figures.

“The decent thing here is that Tasmania should be following Victoria and Western Australia, and ending native logging and destruction and extinction of our species,” former Greens Senator Bob Brown recently told the ABC. Environment groups are thrilled about the impending end of Victoria’s native timber industry.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney conceded the decision was hastened by costly legal action taken by environment groups that halted logging in the state’s Central Highlands and East Gippsland regions.