Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP

Nationals expresses disappointment and concerns on shut down of native forest industry by Andrews Labor government

Jonno 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 undermined

Mr 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 needed

Mr 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 predicted

Federal 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 disgusted

Mr 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 questions

Journalist

Yeah. 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 Chester

Well, the level of public support required for a sustainable hardwood timber industry is actually putting legislation in place to protect timber workers' jobs.

Journalist

Can you put a monetary figure on it?

Darren Chester

No, 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.

Journalist

Are you opposed to the use of recycled timber?

Darren Chester

Excuse me, what are you talking about?

Journalist

Well, instead of hardwood, native hardwood, could you use an alternate product?

Darren Chester

I 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.

Journalist

So what level of monetary support? Because there's tens of millions of dollars flowing out?

Darren Chester

I 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 Chester

It'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.

Journalist

What are the flow-on effects for those regional towns?

Darren Chester

It'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

• The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses.
• The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
  The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding.
• Nationals demand stronger policing as rising Latrobe Valley crime fuels growing community safety concerns and frustration
  The Nationals say rising Latrobe Valley crime and fewer police officers demand urgent Labor government action, calling for stronger policing, tougher laws and better resources to restore community safety.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.
• The Nationals criticise deteriorating Princes Highway as potholes raise safety concerns in Traralgon East
  The Nationals have criticised the deteriorating Princes Highway at Traralgon East, citing 85 potholes between Traralgon and Rosedale and road damage less than 18 months after duplication.
• Liberal Nationals introduce bill to repeal Labor's firearms laws and abolish national gun buyback scheme
  Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has introduced a Bill, seconded by Andrew Wilcox, to repeal Labor’s firearms laws, restore previous Commonwealth regulations and abolish the stalled National Gun Buyback Scheme.
• The Nationals and farm groups warn EPBC changes create uncertainty for farmers and land management
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan met with farm groups over concerns Labor’s EPBC changes could create uncertainty and regulatory risks. Industry wants amendments, clearer guidance, mapping, support tools and independent review.
• The Nationals pledge to keep Victoria's coal-fired power stations operating amid growing electricity supply concerns
  The Nationals' Martin Cameron has pledged existing Victorian coal-fired power stations will not close early, warning of electricity shortages, higher prices and job losses while advocating firm generation and gas investment.
• Nationals target Premier Ben Carroll over undelivered Latrobe Valley manufacturing jobs and broken election promises
  The Nationals accused Premier Ben Carroll of failing to deliver 500 promised SEA Electric manufacturing jobs in Morwell, criticising Labor’s Latrobe Valley transition and economic record.
• Nationals and Liberals unveil $40M plan to strengthen Gippsland's regional health workforce and services
  The Nationals and Liberals propose a $40 million rural health workforce scheme, offering incentives up to $10,000 for relocation and accommodation to attract healthcare professionals to regional Victoria.
• Nationals introduced Bill to protect Victoria's agricultural land from poorly planned development and improve food security
  The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security.
• The Nationals warn visa delays threaten harvest workforce, food supply and regional farmers already facing mounting pressures
  The Nationals warn visa delays are threatening critical harvest and agricultural workforces, urging Labor to provide certainty, faster approvals and migration settings supporting farmers, regional communities and food supply.
• The Nationals unveil $40M plan offering health workers incentives to fill critical regional jobs across Gippsland and Victoria
  The Nationals propose $40 million over four years for a Victorian Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, offering eligible regional health workers up to $10,000 for relocation, accommodation and professional development.
• The Nationals pledge $10M boost for Victoria's Neighbourhood Houses, supporting community hubs facing rising demand and cost pressures
  The Nationals have pledged $10 million over four years for Victoria's Neighbourhood Houses, including $4 million for existing services and $6 million to establish and expand hubs in growing regions.
• The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
  The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis.
• The Nationals and Liberals promise tougher sentencing, specialist criminal appeal court, greater transparency for Victorians
  The Nationals and Liberals pledge tougher sentencing, a specialist Criminal Appeal Court and greater transparency, including Children’s Court data, to restore confidence, strengthen accountability and address Victoria’s crime crisis.
• The Nationals pledge weekly rubbish collection for Gippsland households to ease costs and improve waste services
  The Nationals have pledged weekly general rubbish collections across Gippsland, promising to review landfill levies and waste charges to reduce costs and ease pressure on families.
• Gippsland families face rising cost pressures as Nationals criticise Labor government over interest rates, spending and inflation
  The Nationals say rising interest rates are increasing pressure on Gippsland families, criticising Labor’s spending and inflation while outlining plans for budget discipline, tax cuts and productivity.
• Danny O'Brien says Nationals' Bill will strengthen agricultural land protections, safeguard and recognise Gippsland farms as strategic asset
  The Nationals' agricultural land Bill would strengthen protections for Gippsland farms, recognise agriculture as a strategic asset, require impact assessments and consultation, and ensure food security is considered before major developments.
• Darren Chester says growers and industry groups are concerned Labor's visa processing pause is creating uncertainty for farmers
  Australian farmers warn delayed visa processing for seasonal and skilled workers could worsen labour shortages, disrupt harvests, reduce food production and push fresh produce prices higher for Australian families.
• Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
  The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
  A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions.
• Tourism industry warns visa delays threaten jobs and revenue ahead of Australia's critical Christmas holiday season this year
  Australia's tourism sector warns visa delays, rising living costs and fuel prices could put $3 billion revenue and 20,000 jobs at risk this Christmas, urging government action.
• Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
  Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration.
• Latrobe Valley commuters will receive longer trains and more seats under a Nationals-Liberals plan to increase regional rail capacity and reduce crowding
  The Nationals and Liberals plan to allocate five additional V’Locity sets to Traralgon and Bairnsdale, delivering 1,100 extra seats and reducing regional rail crowding.
• Coalition seeks crossbench support to scrap Labor’s forestry carbon credit method
  The Coalition is urging crossbench Senators to reject Labor’s Improved Native Forest Management carbon credit method, warning it overstates emissions savings, threatens forestry jobs and reduces timber supply.
• Hazelwood North CFA to receive long-awaited new station under Nationals and Liberals' Latrobe Valley infrastructure commitment
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding.
• Gippsland Line set for longer trains and more seats under Nationals-Liberals plan to tackle peak-period overcrowding
  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged five additional VLocity sets, adding 1,110 seats on Gippsland services to reduce overcrowding and improve peak-period travel for passengers.
• Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
  Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities.
• East Gippsland Council calls for fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and investment in affected communities before state election
  East Gippsland Council is seeking fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and stronger investment to support affected communities, local economies, jobs and bushfire preparedness.
• Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
  The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness.
• Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
  Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
• Labor announces four new regional early learning centres for 2029, expanding access to kindergarten and long daycare places
  Labor will open four new Early Learning Victoria centres in Alexandra, Drouin, Hamilton and Seymour from 2029, providing more than 400 childcare and kindergarten places across regional Victoria.
• Labor Backpacker Visa changes leave farmers facing worker shortages and application burden
  The National Farmers’ Federation will lodge fast-track backpacker applications amid Working Holiday Maker cuts, as Coalition MPs criticise Labor’s changes and warn farmers face uncertainty securing seasonal workers during peak periods.
• Darren Chester slams Victorian Labor over five-year delay in critical Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade despite federal funding
  Darren Chester has slammed Victoria's Labor Government over the stalled Mallacoota-Genoa Road upgrade, despite $10m federal funding committed in 2021, saying Gippsland communities have waited five years for promised safety improvements.
• Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
  Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades.
• Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
  Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas.
• Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
  Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
  The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable.
• Melina Bath seeks Labor explanation on Gippsland children face specialist dental service cuts, longer waits and costly travel for treatment
  Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment.
• Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
  The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects.
• Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
  Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season.
• Latrobe Council urges Premier Carroll to fast-track investment, industry growth and secure future jobs in Valley
  Latrobe City Council has urged newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to meet urgently on economic diversification, investment and job creation as the region faces energy transition, manufacturing job losses and Yallourn 2028 closure.
• Parliamentary inquiry reveals CFA resource shortfalls after years of Labor neglect, leaving Gippsland communities increasingly vulnerable
  A Parliamentary inquiry has highlighted declining CFA volunteer numbers, ageing firefighting vehicles, workforce shortages and poor fuel management, prompting Nationals' Danny O'Brien to demand urgent action to protect Gippsland communities.
• Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
  The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
  Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care.
• Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
  Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities.
• Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
  Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain.
• East Gippsland Agriculture Tour showcases innovation, resilience and collaboration across the region's diverse farming sector
  ASAC members toured East Gippsland agricultural businesses, exploring sustainable farming, weed management, technology and dairy practices while strengthening industry connections and informing future regional agricultural priorities.
• Community planting day advances Blue Rock Lake foreshore restoration and native fish habitat
  Students, Landcare volunteers and partner organisations have planted native vegetation at Blue Rock Lake, building on fish habitat projects and erosion-control works to strengthen the shoreline and support wildlife.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
  The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.