Gippsland › Latest news › Danny O'Brien MP
Andrews Labor government failed timber policy threatens significant job losses in Gippsland
The Andrews Labor government must act urgently to address the threat of significant job losses in Gippsland due to its failed timber policy.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said Labor's failure to amend the timber code of practice had allowed legal action to effectively shut down the industry, threatening 300 jobs at Opal's Maryvale paper mill just weeks before Christmas. This is in addition to the harvest and haulage contractors currently stood down by VicForests and potential further job losses at Gippsland timber mills.
Labor can't sit idly by and ignore the results of his failure to amend timber code of practice that can leave Gippslanders jobless
Seeing the consequences
Mr O'Brien said these Gippsland job losses were the consequence of Labor's policy failure when it comes to the timber industry. "Labor has a deliberate policy to shut down the native timber industry and by virtue of its lack of action has allowed legal action to bring this policy forward."
"We are now seeing the disastrous consequences of this in the lack of timber supply to the Maryvale mill which is threatening up to 300 jobs. This is one of the manufacturing success stories we have in this state and yet Labor is sitting idly by and doing nothing." Mr O'Brien said.
Support for native timber industry
Mr O'Brien said with the government now re-elected and Ministers sworn in there was no excuse for a lack of action. "The government has a number of options available to it including legislation and changes to the timber code of practice but so far it has been silent. Labor can't sit idly by and let these jobs go and pretend it is someone else's problem."
"The people of Gippsland made very clear their support for the native timber industry by backing The Nationals' position to overturn the ban on native timber harvesting by electing Nationals members in Morwell, Gippsland South and Gippsland East."
"The result in Morwell should be a wake-up call for a Labor Party that once used to care about blue collar workers' jobs. It now has the opportunity to step in and support the workers at Maryvale and others in the timber industry around our region. It only needs the political will to do it." Mr O'Brien said.
Pictures from Liberals for Macedon Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Darren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
ACV/GARDS gets $560K for Gippsland asbestos victims and additional $19.3M for asbestos removal from Victorian Labor government
AstraZeneca admission of blood clot risks prompts concerns about misinformation in Australian push for COVID-19 vaccinations
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
Darren Chester presses for federal backing on proposed roundabout on Maffra-Sale Rd intersection to complete partial funded from Victorian government
Nationals push for ban on telemarketing and door-knocking of Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme in Latrobe Valley