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Nationals MP’s welcome Federal Court judgement on VicForests

Continued support for timber and forestry workers fowards a sustainable resource.

By news@gippsland - 26th May 2021 - Back to News

Gippsland timber jobs are more secure following the announcement the full bench of the Federal Court unanimously upheld VicForests appeal against a single judge’s decision a year ago. The initial ruling forced timber harvesting operations to cease across many coupes in Victoria and was starving the industry of resources.

Forests are an important source of timber industry and those who manufacture sustainable goods and services that our forests create and it also provide food, medicine, and materials for energy and shelter, they also provide jobs in logging and conservation, and support important sectors

Vindication for hardworking timber and forestry workers

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the verdict was vindication for all our hardworking timber and forestry workers. "Timber jobs in Gippsland were facing great uncertainty and I welcome the Federal Court upholding VicForests appeal."

"Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry produces world class timber products under the most stringent environmental regulatory framework. Wrongly labelling native timber harvesters work as illegal was nothing short of unfair and unjust." Said Ms Bath.

Ultimate sustainable resource

Ms Bath also said, "Our regional forestry agreements provide a robust operational and environmental framework for harvesting to proceed all while protecting threatened species. Victorian timber is the ultimate sustainable resource - instead of destroying local timber jobs, as a community we should be supporting, embracing and promoting the industry."

VicForest winning its appeal

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester also welcomed the news that VicForests has won its appeal and can now recommence its logging activity. "This is a victory for local sawmill operators, harvest and haulage contractors and their employees who didn’t deserve to be hung out to dry."

"This issue has gone on for far too long and halted harvesting operations impacting on sawmills and contractors who were not getting their contracted volumes for the season. This week’s decision is a common sense ruling for local jobs here in Gippsland." said Mr Chester.

Remaining committed to supporting Victoria’s native timber

Mr Chester and Ms Bath said they remained committed to working with locals to safeguard forestry industry jobs in Gippsland so that timber workers and their families have a secure future.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath back Gippsland timber jobs and welcome the Federal Court judgement on VicForests

Ms Bath said, "While the high court’s decision has been a win for timber jobs, Victoria’s sustainable timber industry remains in serious jeopardy with the Andrews Government planning to shut the industry in 2030."

"Without a sustainable native timber industry, Victoria will be forced to imported rainforest timber from third world countries that are not harvest under the same strict environment standards. The Nationals remain committed to supporting Victoria’s native timber workers and overturning the Andrews Labor Government’s diabolical plan to shut our vital industry", Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page and Melina Bath MP web page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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