Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP
Victorian Liberals and Nationals overturn Andrews Labor government blocking of urgent amendments to legislation on timber industry
The Nationals Leader Peter Walsh says his party wanted amendments to the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 to better protect workers.
The Andrews Labor government has set the stage for an ugly showdown between legal forestry workers and increasingly belligerent and reckless protestors by blocking urgent amendments to legislation covering the timber industry. Mr Walsh says Daniel Andrews has again shown he is willing to put regional lives in danger to simply curry favour with green city voters, elevating this debate from an environmental issue to a genuine occupational health and safety crisis.
With Labor government's blocking on amendments to the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 will decimate local communities and put the entire supply chain at risk
Workers deserve better deal
Mr Walsh said, "The fear of timber harvesters is absolutely palpable. Licensed harvesting areas - known as coupes - are a workplace, and harvesters should be able to conduct themselves without fear of injuring or killing someone."
"Our forestry workers and their families deserve a better deal and someone prepared to back their safety at work. They are authorised workers doing a job to support their families, it's the same conditions - and risks - as a major construction site." Mr Walsh said.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath says environmental protesters have been given the green light to continue harassing harvesters, with proper police search and seize powers denied by Labor, the Greens and Independent MPs.
Keep workers safe
Ms Bath says, "Harsher penalties for illegal protesters are desperately needed or many will continue to evade penalties or receive a slap on the wrist and crowdfund their fines."
"In recent years, protesters' tactics are becoming more perilous for workers, and rather than sending a strong deterrent with our amendments in place, Labor continues to go soft on these dangerous behaviours. It is no longer an environmental debate. This is about keeping Victorian workers safe."
Ms Bath says that if elected, a Liberals and Nationals government will immediately overturn Labor's appalling ban on the native timber industry and ensure our world-class - and sustainable - industry will thrive, creating a number of valuable jobs for regional Victorians.
Pictures from Peter Walsh MP Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Gippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development
Russell Broadbent addresses nationwide Covid injustices-rights breaches, lockdowns, mandates and waste of $577B on vaccine and tests