The former minister and MP for the NSW seat of Hunter has been appointed to the Australian Forest Products Association board as an independent non-executive director.

"As the former minister and shadow minister for forestry, I have met many of AFPA's members and have seen firsthand the countless benefits the industry provides to Australia's economy and the livelihoods of Australians," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

"(The) industry is passionate about the role it can play in climate mitigation, building our regional communities by providing meaningful and secure jobs and delivering the millions of fibre-based products we often take for granted - from timber for houses, to paper and tissue products.

"I look forward to working with my board colleagues and AFPA management as we look to the future of forest industries."

AFPA chair Greg McCormack said Mr Fitzgibbon would bring to the board passionate support for forest industries.

"(And he) understands intimately how we can assist the new Albanese government deliver both greater climate change initiatives and more timber for our builders and renovators," Mr McCormack said.

"Joel's vast experience in both strategic vision and policy development will provide valuable input for the AFPA board and in dealings with all levels of the government and the public service as we all try to deliver on the more than $300 million in new initiatives Labor committed to during the election, along with key policy changes."

Australian Associated Press