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Andrews appoints architect of Hazelwood closure to lead transitionDaniel Andrews’ decision to appoint a key adviser behind the plan to close Hazelwood to manage the Latrobe Valley’s transition shows his utter contempt for the people of the Valley, Member for Morwell Russell Northe has said. By Portal Admin - 16th February 2017 - Back to News The former adviser for climate change, environment and innovation worked in Premier Brumby’s private office when Labor promised in 2010 it would close Hazelwood Power Station.
"Daniel Andrews is happy to give Labor mates jobs, but refuses to save the jobs of 1000 Hazelwood workers," Mr Northe said.
"By appointing the architect of Hazelwood’s closure to manage the future of hundreds of workers and the future of the Latrobe Valley, Daniel Andrews has confirmed he never intended to keep Hazelwood open.
"Labor’s arrogance is to send an environmentalist in a suit to tell us all will be fine, well if this bloke supported the Valley he wouldn’t have worked on the plan that damaged it."
The Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) still has a raft of vacant executive positions and no functionality, just 43 days from Hazelwood’s closure and has spent about $1.2 million on executive salaries before the authority has even done anything.
"The LVA has been running for more than three months, but the community is not convinced there has been any support or new jobs created," Mr Northe said.
"Daniel Andrews promised ‘the Victorian Government will stand with these workers and their families’, but Daniel Andrews has been missing in action while hundreds of families face an uncertain future.
"Daniel Andrews must urgently fix the mess Labor’s policies have created in the Latrobe Valley."
Media contact: 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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