Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Martin Cameron MP

State Electricity Commission in Morwell is confirmed to have only one employee contrary to job creation promises

Labor's revived State Electricity Commission is criticised for having only one employee in Morwell, contrary to promises of job creation. The Nationals condemn it as a political stunt.

By news@gippsland - 24th May 2024 - Back to News

Labor's revived State Electricity Commission has again been exposed as a sham after it was revealed there is just one person working for the SEC in Morwell. Under questioning from The Nationals' Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, in a Parliamentary Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing this week, the Minister for the SEC confirmed a single employee is based out of the GovHub in Morwell.

Labor's SEC in Morwell, with only one employee, faces scrutiny by The Nationals. Martin Cameron accuses Labor of misleading with promises

Labor's misleading promises

The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said Labor was continuing to mislead Victorians with hollow promises and wildly overstated benefits associated with the SEC. "Former premier Daniel Andrews and current Premier Jacinta Allan promised the SEC would be brought back to Morwell and create some 59,000 jobs."

"Eighteen months since this announcement and what has been delivered is an absolute farce - one single employee working part-time for the SEC in Morwell's GovHub. Labor used the SEC as a dangling carrot for the Latrobe Valley and has taken advantage of the very real need for more employment opportunities in the region with an egregious grab for votes."

"Here in the Latrobe Valley, where we have powered the state for more than a century, we see this for what it is - a political stunt that ignores commercial realities and will only increase power bills and taxes for Victorians," Mr Cameron said.

Labor's SEC failure

The Nationals' Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, said Labor had failed to sell its case for bringing back the SEC at every turn. "From the very start, this has been nothing but a sham. Labor promised the SEC would be 'brought back to Morwell', but with just one single employee warming a seat in the pre-existing GovHub, that is clearly not the case."

"Jobs growth in the Latrobe Valley over the past decade has been the equivalent of 0.47 per cent on an annual basis, while jobs in Wodonga have grown 2.7 per cent and jobs in Geelong have grown 3.4 per cent,"

"The illusory promise that a revived SEC would create 59,000 jobs reeks of a government weaponizing a very real issue in a disgraceful grab for votes. Labor can't manage money, can't manage the state's electricity and regional Victorians are paying the price," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving, preventing East Gippsland ratepayers covering government shortfalls
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull urges state government to fund Surf Life Saving Victoria, warning councils face doubled contributions while new Emergency Services levy strains East Gippsland and Wellington budgets.
• Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.
• Gippsland Water reaches 100 percent renewable electricity target, cutting emissions by 20,000 tonnes toward 2030 net zero
  Gippsland Water has achieved 100% renewable electricity by 2025, cutting 20,000 tonnes of emissions annually and advancing its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2030, 20 years ahead of schedule.
• From Job expos to farms and sports awards connecting communities across East Gippsland through events and advocacy
  From jobs expos to farm visits, sports awards, and community projects, recent weeks highlighted East Gippsland's talent, resilience, and collaboration, advocacy, and opportunities that strengthen local communities.
• Have Your Say on Wonthaggi structure plan review aiming to guide growth, community needs and opportunities
  Bass Coast Shire Council is reviewing the Wonthaggi Structure Plan. Have your say on the town's growth, housing, jobs, heritage, and future opportunities to help shape Wonthaggi as Bass Coast regional hub.
• Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect.
• Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
  The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• 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.