Gippsland › Latest news › Melina Bath MP
Labor Fails on Plantation Pledge
Failed promised investment in timber plantations.
The Andrews Labor Government has again let the people of the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland down with its failure to deliver its promised investment in timber plantations.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said today almost two years on from its $100 million dollar budget announcement, Labor has done nothing to implement a commitment to expanded plantations in the Latrobe Valley.
"We now have the Treasurer, Tim Pallas on the radio this morning making excuses about why Labor has failed to act on this investment.
"We know that plantation expansion is critical for jobs in Latrobe Valley particularly for future resource supply at Australian paper.
"We welcomed the Government’s budget announcement in 2017, to expand the plantation area but we have always been concerned about where Labor’s actual plantations would go.
"It appears from the delay and excuses the Treasurer is now giving, this was a policy made up on the run to try and deal with a crisis in the timber industry at the time.
"The problems in that industry are real and genuine and Labor has failed to act.
"I have raised this matter in Parliament a number of times and I continually get assurances that work is under way but thus far, nearly 2 years down the track nothing has actually happened".
Ms Bath said Latrobe Valley jobs relied on the timber industry and this investment should occur as quickly as possible.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: support@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire residents urged to participate in 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey phone interviews
Community feedback strengthens Wellington's Road Management Plan, highlighting priorities for road upgrades

East Gippsland kids invited to join and send entries for National Water Week poster competition by 12 September 2025

Future Wellington Community feedback shapes draft plans, final input invited before 16 July 2025

Gippsland Water commits to keeping customer bills affordable despite cost of living pressures

Have your say on Latrobe's draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 until 29 July 2025

Latrobe City Council endorses new Council Plan and Community Vision 2025-2029 to guide Latrobe's future growth

Wellington Shire Councillors advocate for region's needs at National Local Government Assembly in Canberra on 24 - 27 June 2025

East Gippsland tourism and hospitality masterclass to build sustainable, resilient businesses and grow positive

Southern Rural Water celebrates 30 years of service with modernisation, partnerships and sustainable water
