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Nationals expresses disappointment and concerns on shut down of native forest industry by Andrews Labor governmentJonno Duniam expresses disappointment in the Labor Party for shutting down Victoria's native forest industry, causing economic and environmental concerns. Darren Chester emphasises the negative impact on jobs and regional towns. By news@gippsland - 25th May 2023 - Back to News Hon Jonno Duniam - Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry said, "Today is a very dark day for Victoria's regional economy and for our proud timber industry. True to form, the Labor Party in this country have done what they've always wanted to do now in Victoria, and that is shut down our sustainable and world leading native forest industry." 
Labor's decision in Victoria harms the economy and environment, prompting the call for federal government intervention in the forestry industry Environment underminedMr Duniam said, "There are many Australians who depend on this industry to secure a living, and pay their bills at a time when the cost of living is out of control. But Dan Andrews and the Labor Government in Victoria have gone and made life even harder for those people living in those communities to make ends meet. What's more, today's decision undermines good environmental outcomes. We know that forestry done here in Australia is done to world's best standards." "If we don't harvest it here, if we don't process it here, you know what? People are still going to buy it, but it's going to be coming from places like the Congo Basin where they don't give a damn about the environment," he said. Intervention neededMr Duniam said, "Today's decision by Labor in Victoria is bad for the economy and bad for the environment. Finally, I think it's time the Federal Government, under Anthony Albanese, stepped up and did what has probably needed to be done for quite some time, and that is to take Federal control of the forestry industry." "We've seen the Australian Forest Products Association call for a discussion at the National Cabinet and that's something we would support. This is a sovereign capability. It's a resource we all depend on. And State Labor governments across the country are shutting it down and strangling this industry. We need the resources; we need the jobs." "So Albo and Minister Watt need to bring a conversation on at the National Cabinet and make sure we regain control of this industry. I'll hand over to Darren Chester who, as a local Member, feels very strongly about this as well," he said. Consequences predictedFederal member Darren Chester said, "Thank you, Jonno. And make no mistake, this is a Dan-made disaster. This is a plan that will kill country towns, it'll kill jobs in regional Victoria, and actually kill wildlife as well. With the Black Summer bushfires, every one of those fires occurred on poorly maintained public land." "Every one of those fires started in areas of land poorly managed by the Victorian State Government. We know, in Victoria, those that live in regional communities, just how important the native hardwood timber industry is. The workers in the native hardwood timber industry are the same people who get on bulldozers, get on the harvest and haulage equipment, get out there during these natural disasters and help keep people safe." "What Dan Andrews has done today is send a message to regional Victoria. He does not give a stuff about you. He does not give a stuff about regional jobs. He's quite happy to send you to the unemployment queues on an ideologically driven, mad, agenda put to him by the Greens and now delivered by a Labor government in Victoria," he said. Gutless and disgustedMr Chester also said, "One other point I would make is that, during last year's election campaign, the Prime Minister now, Anthony Albanese, tweeted that he supported a sustainable, hardwood timber industry in Australia. Then he didn't lift a finger in the next 12 months, despite repeated warnings about where Dan Andrews was going with his madness. Anthony Albanese needs to step up and look after the jobs of blue collar workers. What I would also say is where were Victorian Labor MPs supporting these country people?" "Old Labor used to have members of Parliament who had some guts. Old Labor had members of Parliament who stood up when it mattered to blue collar workers. New Labor, the Labor Victorian MPs in this place, are too gutless to work hard and fight for Victorian jobs." "I'm absolutely disgusted. I've been in this place for 15 years. I have never been more disgusted with a government decision than I am today. This is a Dan made disaster for regional Victorians. Any questions?" he said. Journalist's questionsJournalistYeah. A question for you, Mr. Chester. What level of public support from the Victorian taxpayers is appropriate to continue the employment of native timber harvesters in the state? Darren ChesterWell, the level of public support required for a sustainable hardwood timber industry is actually putting legislation in place to protect timber workers' jobs. JournalistCan you put a monetary figure on it? Darren ChesterNo, no, listen to what I'm saying. Protect them from green lawfare, protect them from activist judges. Put legislation in place to protect the sustainable world class industry. The demand for native hardwood timber is not going anywhere. The demand is still there. We're still going to make furniture, we're still going to make stairwells. You know what this will also do for the Commonwealth Games? We're going to put down hardwood timber floors. But where's that timber going to come from? The next Commonwealth Games in Melbourne will be playing on flooring of imported timber under Dan Andrews' plan to ban our hardwood timber industry in Victoria. JournalistAre you opposed to the use of recycled timber? Darren ChesterExcuse me, what are you talking about? JournalistWell, instead of hardwood, native hardwood, could you use an alternate product? Darren ChesterI think you need to understand the timber industry. The timber industry has softwood, they have hardwood. So there's plantation timber. There's also hardwood timber required for certain industry uses. So feature floors, hardwood for basketball flooring, your staircases, your furniture that comes from hardwood. Softwood you might be using for timber framing, for example, it might come from pine plantations. But you need a mix. You do need hardwood, you need softwood. And there is no hope that Victoria's timber needs can be met from plantations. Just can't be met. JournalistSo what level of monetary support? Because there's tens of millions of dollars flowing out? Darren ChesterI think you're missing my point. I'm not talking about an industry that needs monetary support to survive. It actually needs a government prepared to back it in with the legislative framework to stop them being tied up in the courts all the time on bogus claims. In Australia, we can be extraordinarily proud of the fact that we protect in conservation areas millions and millions and millions of hectares of our native forest, the most high conservation forest in Australia and Victoria are already protected. We only harvest a tiny fraction on a sustainable yield basis. This is ideological madness. This has got nothing to do with the environment. This will cause more environmental damage than it will fix and it's going to send people out of country communities, going to depopulate regional Victoria. So when we do have a fire next time, those people with those skills in the bush will not be there to help us out. Darren ChesterIt's almost impossible to tell right now exactly what the toll is going to be in terms of jobs. You've already seen about 200 jobs go from Australian paper with the white paper production ending. Then you look at the mills still in Gippsland. You've got to look at the downstream impacts of the harvesting and haulage sector, the drivers, furniture makers. Its almost impossible to tell. It's in the thousands of jobs and look, there's no compensation package for these people. I don't care what the Premier is offering to them. They want the decency of a job they've given a regional community they love, they play footy, they play netball, they work in those communities. They don't want a handout from bloody Daniel Andrews. They want their jobs back. JournalistWhat are the flow-on effects for those regional towns? Darren ChesterIt's devastating. It is devastating to think what's going to happen to those regional communities. Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Gippsland is gaining national attention as a hub for industrial hemp, with pilot projects, crop walks, and the Global Hemp Summit showcasing sustainable alternatives and regional economic opportunities. - Danny O'Brien welcomes progress on Sealers Cove track repairs but slams years of Labor delays at Wilsons Prom
Danny O'Brien welcomed long-overdue progress on Sealers Cove track repairs at Wilsons Prom but criticised Labor for years of delays, saying Gippsland deserves timely investment in vital tourism infrastructure and facilities. - Gippsland’s growth at risk without urgent government investment in housing, infrastructure, warns One Gippsland Chair
One Gippsland warns growth could stall without urgent investment in housing and infrastructure to support workforce, energy projects, and address social, affordable housing shortages across the region. - Danny O’Brien calls for clarity on free children’s public transport amid Gippsland V/Line concerns
Danny O’Brien urges Labor to clarify free children’s public transport rollout, warning Gippsland families face confusion over youth myki requirements, online access, and unmanned V/Line stations from January 2026. - Darren Chester supports Tribunal decision to defend veterans' right, opposing Albanese government plan limiting Acts of Gallantry review
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal will defend veterans' rights at a Senate inquiry, opposing the Albanese government's plan to impose a 20-year limit on reviewing acts of gallantry. - Danny O’Brien urged immediate start on Wilsons Promontory revitalisation, including the proposed Yanakie Isthmus fence
The Allan Labor government faces criticism for ongoing delays to the Wilsons Promontory sanctuary, with Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urging immediate construction to protect wildlife and complete the long-promised project. - Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads. - Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention. - Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding. - Latrobe City Council reviews community feedback on draft Streetscape Strategy to refine public space improvements and concerns
Latrobe City Council has concluded community consultation on the draft Streetscape Strategy, reviewing feedback on carpark concerns, public space improvements, and long-term enhancements before finalising recommendations. - David Littleproud warns vegetable growers of crisis as compliance costs soar, confidence collapses and exits loom
Nationals leader David Littleproud warns Australia's food security is at risk, with two in five growers considering leaving amid rising compliance costs, financial strain, and Labor policies undermining farming viability. - Danny O’Brien warns Gippslanders to stay alert as fake government email and text scams increase
Danny O’Brien urges residents to stay vigilant against sophisticated government-themed email and text scams, verify messages using Scam Safe Check, and report suspicious activity to protect the community. - Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition. - Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action.
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