Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP

Daniel Andrews to Sacrifice Communities and Jobs for Greens Votes

Sacrifices to chase Greens Party preferences.

By Portal Admin - 2nd December 2019 - Back to News

Comment attributable to Leader of the Opposition Michael O’Brien

Today Labor has shown it will sacrifice hardworking people and family businesses to chase Greens Party preferences.

The Liberal Nationals will stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional communities and fight the arrogant Premier for Melbourne every step of the way on his disastrous plan.

Daniel Andrews’ ban on Victoria’s sustainable forestry industry will gut regional communities and destroy the livelihoods of thousands of families.

This sustainable industry has been the backbone of regional Victoria for generations and Daniel Andrews is putting an end to the livelihoods of tens of thousands of mums and dads who rely on the industry.

The Liberal Nationals will pull out all stops to fight for regional Victoria and will rally against Daniel Andrews and his arrogant decision to rip the heart out of regional Victoria.

More than 94 per cent of Victoria’s forest area is either unsuitable or unavailable for timber harvest.

Annually, Victoria’s timber industry has access to just 0.04 per cent or less of the forest estate.

Victorian timber is the ultimate renewable resource. It should not be sacrificed on the altar of Labor/Green political deals.

Daniel Andrews’ reckless decision will increase the cost of new houses by forcing the building industry to use expensive imported timber; timber which is not harvested to the same strict environmental standards as Victorian timber.

This is shameful and a blatantly political decision by Daniel Andrews and his Labor-Greens Government.

Daniel Andrews is putting politics first, and people second. Victoria’s regional communities have had an absolute gutful of his arrogance.

Comment attributable to Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh

Today is a dark day for our regional communities and the industries that underpin us.

We should be backing Victoria’s sustainable timber industry, not axing it.

Daniel Andrews should be supporting and promoting Victoria’s sustainable forest industry, not shutting it down.

But over past five years we’ve seen the Andrews Government do everything possible to starve Victoria’s forest industry of resources, costing regional jobs and undermining business confidence.

It’s total madness considering our forest industries support tens of thousands direct and indirect jobs, many in regional communities, and pump $7 billion through Victoria’s economy.

Not only that, our forest industries meet and exceed world’s best forestry management practices, and forest scientists agree sustainable management can play a positive role in minimising carbon emissions.

These industries deliver state-wide benefits and, in some areas, sustain small communities where there are no other employment options nearby Daniel Andrews’ plan threatens to wipe towns like Orbost and Heyfield off the map, and will send jobs offshore to countries that don’t have strict timber harvest standards like Victoria.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• East Gippsland communities transform emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience, recovery and local stories
  East Gippsland communities have transformed emergency water tanks into vibrant murals celebrating resilience and recovery, with artworks completed at four locations and three more projects planned for Gipsy Point, South Buchan and Benambra.
• East Gippsland Jobs Expo connects job seekers with employers, training providers and career opportunities across the region on 8 October 2026
  East Gippsland Jobs Expo on October 8 will connect job seekers with employers, training providers and employment services, showcasing local career pathways and workforce opportunities across the region.
• Gippsland community groups invited to apply for grants up to $20,000 under Stronger Communities Program Round 10 until 23 November 2026
  Gippsland community organisations can apply for $2,500 to $20,000 grants under Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Programme, with $150,000 available for local infrastructure and social benefit projects.
• Baw Baw book boxes bring free children’s books and reading opportunities to communities across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul
  Baw Baw Shire Council and Drouin Men’s Shed have installed community book boxes across Drouin, Longwarry and Warragul, offering free children’s books while encouraging literacy, reading and family connections.
• East Gippsland Shire Council seeks $4M to upgrade Lakes Entrance drainage, protect communities and unlock 1,500 new housing lots
  East Gippsland Council is seeking $4 million for Lakes Entrance drainage upgrades to reduce flood risk, protect communities and support development of 1,500 housing lots.
• 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.