paul mallett believes Tasmania has the natural advantages to lead Australia’s next wave of sustainable agriculture and bio-industry.paul supports industrial hemp as an ideal fit because it is fast-growing, low-input, and carbon-sequestering . Industrial hemp has high-value applications in food, fibre, construction, bioplastics and more.

paul calls for investment in this industry because it is a smart, sustainable lever for Tasmania’s next wave of rural prosperity.  With clear strategy, investment in infrastructure, and bold branding, paul believes Tasmania can lead Australia in clean, regenerative hemp — creating jobs, sequestering carbon and strengthening communities.

The benefits to Tasmania would include:

• New regional jobs in farming, processing, manufacturing and research and development
• Diversified farm incomes and rural resilience
• Export-ready premium products aligned with Tasmania’s clean, green brand
• Contribution to state climate goals via carbon sequestration and green building
• Boost to local construction and affordable housing with innovative hemp materials

Background

paul understands that Tasmania has a small but committed base of growers and researchers, but the industry lacks scale, processing infrastructure, and strategic alignment to realise its full potential. While globally, countries like China, France, Canada and parts of the USA are proving hemp can strengthen rural communities, drive regional jobs, and supply growing global markets hungry for clean, green, climate-positive materials.

Current Limitations

paul understand that there the following limitations on the industry in Tasmania:

• Limited local processing: Many growers sell low-value raw hemp bales; value-add happens interstate or offshore.
• Narrow product focus: Predominantly seed; fibre and building applications are underdeveloped.
• Fragmented supply chain: Growers operate in isolation; no shared hubs or clusters.
• Regulatory uncertainty: Complicated licensing and lack of long-term industry development strategy.
• Untapped premium branding: Tasmania’s clean, green image is not yet strongly linked to hemp.

Proposal

paul calls for an industry expansion package, that would seek to raise the profile and productivity of the industry via the following strategies:

Strengthen Supply Chain Infrastructure

• Invest in local decortication, fibre refinement and oil pressing facilities.
• Encourage co-operative models to share expensive processing assets.

Diversify End Uses

• Promote research and development for hempcrete, insulation, textiles, bioplastics and nutraceuticals.
• Support pilot projects in green construction (e.g., social housing using hempcrete).

Develop a Tasmania Hemp Brand

• Position Tasmanian hemp as premium: clean, regenerative, high-quality.
• Build links to food safety, carbon farming, circular economy credentials.

Streamline Regulation

• Maintain strict THC compliance but reduce red tape for growers and processors.
• Offer clear, consistent guidance for licensing and expansion.

Support Skills & Research

• Partner with TAFE, UTAS and industry to train the next generation of growers, processors and innovators.
• Fund collaborative trials on hemp varieties, carbon sequestration, and product innovation.

Inspiration

Australian Hemp Council – Peak body for the industrial hemp sector in Australia.

Agri-Futures – Australian Government agency serving the research, development and extension needs of rural industries.