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Victorian government abruptly reverses native hardwood ban in construction citing industry consultation and pressure from Nationals

Government assured HIA members of ongoing access to Victorian mill hardwood. Melina Bath of The Nationals criticised Labor for dictating customer choices, highlighting strain on mills and workers.

By news@gippsland - 13th November 2023 - Back to News

The Labor Government has suddenly backflipped on its directive to the Victorian building industry to cease designing and constructing homes with native hardwood timber. The backflip labelled 'updated guidance following industry consultation', comes after sustained pressure from The Nationals. In an attempt to cover its tracks, Labor's November update told the Housing Industry Association (HIA) members that industry will still be able to access hardwood supply from Victorian timber mills.

The Nationals strongly back Victoria's building industry. Rising consumer awareness links Labor's decision to timber shortages, delays, and increased costs, potentially causing future consequences

Government industry intervention

The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath called out the Labor government for its "gross overreach" in attempting to "dictate customer choice" in the building industry. "Our mills and their workers are stressed enough at a time where they are pivoting due to Labor's ideological decision to shut Victoria's native timber industry, they don't need the State Government to peddle misinformation."

In its previous communique to the HIA on 30 October, Labor "strongly recommended" builders cease using native hardwood varieties in all flooring, staircases, beams, doors, windows, architectural features, decking and cladding. Ms Bath said the Labor government's advice to the HIA was a political push to quash all demand for quality hardwood used in the building and construction industry.

Backlash against decision

Ms Bath said, "As everyday consumers become increasingly aware that Victoria's timber shortages, construction delays and sky rocketing building costs are a direct result of a Labor decision and not an industry supply issue there would be future backlash."

"Labor's signature move is to attack regional industries and jobs to appease inner city green ideology where there is no understanding of an industry and its highly regulated, world's best practice environmental standards. The Nationals remain steadfast in our support for Victoria's building industry, our timber communities and the workers that underpin them," she said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
  Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor’s digital-only licence system, calling it discriminatory and locking out hunters lacking internet access
  Melina Bath urges Minister Dimopoulos to reinstate paper-based licence renewals, ensuring hunters aren’t excluded and focusing on hunting competency over digital skills
• Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
  Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor for six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground after 2019-20 bushfires
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor’s six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground, highlighting unsafe facilities, limited capacity, and urgent need for infrastructure replacement to support local families and tourism.