Amid the distraction of the "utegate" saga this week, not much attention was paid to the statement by Federal Forestry Minister Tony Burke "Preparing our forest industries for the future".

Delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Burke outlined the government's vision for the industry in the most significant manner since the election.

Among the rhetoric of "striking a balance" between the environment and industry, it's evident the Labor Government is genuinely committed to plantation forestry.

That's good news for the Green Triangle.

As Mr Burke stated, plantations now account for around two-thirds of Australia’s log production.

He said value-adding has been central to this investment – creating new revenue streams, boosting export earnings and making the industry more competitive.

The National Association of Forest Industries welcomed the minister's speech, particularly the commitment to Regional Forest Agreements, plantations and the proposed Tasmanian pulp mill.

As NAFI pointed out, these policies have been the cornerstone of forest management and plantation development over several years.

There was some concern Labor may feel under pressure from the green movement to withdraw from long-held bipartisan positions.

That doesn't appear to be the case.

The CFMEU focused on the pulp mill issue in its response to the Minister's speech, but described the statement as "unambiguously pro industry and pro jobs".

The disappointing aspect of Mr Burke's speech was not what he said, but what he didn't say.

There was little mention of managed investment schemes and what future, if any, they have in Australian forestry.