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Parliament Pursuits | 12-14 November

Ban on native timber harvesting and opportunities to advocate and show support for local individuals, group and organisations.

By Portal Admin - 8th December 2019 - Back to News

Last week in Parliament was interesting to say the least particularly given the Governments ban on native timber harvesting, and there were also opportunities to advocate and show support for a number of local individuals, groups and organisations:

• At the very first opportunity in Parliament last week, I called for the Government to acknowledge the impact of their recent announcement to axe native timber logging on our community, and how such a decision is likely to have upon businesses, workers and families who rely upon the timber industry. You can read my question and statement on this matter.
• I took the opportunity to tip my hat to the local CFA Brigades for their contributions to the current major fire events in NSW and posted a tribute to their continued dedication on my website. In Parliament, I congratulated the annual award winners at our hardworking Churchill and Newborough CFA Brigades – what a terrific bunch of achievers, well done!
• I asked for the Minister for Ambulance Services to provide an update regarding the funded Morwell and Moe Ambulance Stations – I think this is more than reasonable that our community is aware of what the delays mean for our services
• I spoke with the Minister for Jobs Innovation and Trade regarding Latrobe Valley business participation in Government contracts. This is an issue close to my heart, as building meaningful job creation in our area is vital for our community
• Followed up with the Minister for Energy, my call for modelling of the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET)’s impact to our region. I amplified community concerns about these upcoming issues, and implored the Minister to consider what this will mean for the Latrobe Valley and how best to support us
• Bills that passed the Legislative Council to be presented to our Governor for Royal Assent, were;
• State Taxation Acts Further Amendment Bill 2019
• Justice Legislation Amendment (Serious Offenders and Other Matters) Bill 2019
• Justice Legislation Amendment (Criminal Appeals) Bill 2019
• Building Amendment (Cladding Rectification) Bill 2019

• Energy Safety Legislation (Victorian Energy Safety Commission) Amendment Bill 2019
  The Bill reforms the governance structure of the Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), the state's technical regulator for electricity, gas and pipeline safety. You can read about my history working with the SEC and subsequent thoughts on this legislation, in my contribution to this Bill here
• Workplace Safety Legislation Amendment (Workplace Manslaughter and Other Matters) Bill 2019
  A Bill to create offences of workplace manslaughter for negligent employers in the terrible event of workplace death. You can read about my concerns regarding specific elements of this legislation in my contribution to this Bill here
• Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
  The Bill seeks to abolish VicRoads and PTV, provides the legal framework for the Linking Melbourne Authority and the Transport Infrastructure Development Authority. It also implements a range of measures relating to blood alcohol limits and provides a process for the cancellation of registration of vehicles which have offensive advertisements on them (Wicked Campers, for example)

Source: www.gippsland.com

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