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Taskforce report welcomed by CouncilNews that the State Government LV Taskforce has completed its report and forwarded it to the Premier has been welcomed by Latrobe City Mayor By Latrobe City Council - 9th May 2001 - Back to News News that the State Government LV Taskforce has completed its report and forwarded it to the Premier has been welcomed by Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins.
Councillor Jenkins said however, that comments by the Treasurer in relation to the fifty recommendations in the report, were perhaps more important.
"The Treasurer is reported to have again recognised Latrobe Valley’s extraordinary circumstances. Mr Brumby said there had been a clear imbalance in Government investment in Latrobe Valley compared to other regions over a number of years. In fact, the Treasurer claimed the Task Force recommendation would redress that imbalance," Cr Jenkins said.
"The clearest, simplest and undeniable fact is that the present circumstances of the Latrobe Valley are a direct result of State Government politics and actions. The SECV restructure and subsequent privatisation program saw six-thousand direct jobs lost in the Latrobe Valley," Cr Jenkins said.
"There has not been a single example of consultation, social planning or safety nets being put in place to overcome the effects of these conscious decisions of successive State Governments," he said.
Cr Jenkins said there was no example anywhere else in the nation where a single employer had stripped their workforce by these sorts of members without some consultation, which affected communities.
"The social dislocation and misery caused by successive State Governments has finally been recognised by the Bracks LV Ministerial Taskforce, and the Latrobe Valley Community is justified in having high expectations of the State Government in delivering an adequate response," Cr Jenkins said.
"Not only do we have a recognition of the problems caused by previous State Government decisions, but also a clear understanding as to the windfall financial returns to the State Government. State Governments and successive State budgets have realised in excess of $20 billion from privatisation of the electricity industry without the return of one cent to the Latrobe Valley Community," Cr Jenkins added.
Councillor Jenkins said that the LV Ministerial Taskforce must respond in terms commensurate with the magnitude of the Latrobe Valley situation.
"Nothing less than a response, which clearly recognises Latrobe Valley’s extraordinary circumstances, will be acceptable to the Latrobe Valley Community and nothing less should be contemplated," Cr Jenkins concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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