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Martin Cameron says new data contradicts Labor's claims, highlighting Morwell's 15.4% unemployment and ongoing jobs crisis

New Federal data shows Morwell's unemployment rate at 15.4%, highlighting Labor's failure to tackle Latrobe Valley's jobs crisis. Martin Cameron condemns broken promises and lack of urgency in diversifying local industries.

By news@gippsland - 22nd January 2025 - Back to News

New data from the federal government confirms Premier Jacinta Allan is continuing to neglect the jobs crisis in the Latrobe Valley, with the unemployment rate in Morwell sitting at a staggering 15.4 percent. The alarming figures represent a 2.6 percent spike in the unemployment rate for the September 2024 quarter, up from 12.8 percent in the June 2024 quarter.

Martin Cameron criticised broken promises, failed investments, and abandoned projects, including the SEC return and electric vehicle manufacturing in Morwell

Labor fails Latrobe

The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the data flies in the face of Labor's claims it is "creating jobs, not cutting jobs" in regional Victoria. "Jacinta Allan has held senior positions in the Victorian Labor government for 10 years, and for 10 years she has consistently failed the Latrobe Valley."

"Labor shut Hazelwood prematurely, shut the white paper mill at Maryvale, shut the sustainable native timber industry, and the result of this is an unemployment rate of 15.4 percent. The closure of our coal-fired power stations - the economic heart of the Valley - will begin in just three years and amount to hundreds more job losses, yet there is no urgency from Labor to establish new industries," Mr Cameron said.

Latrobe Valley neglected

Mr Cameron said a trail of broken promises, failed investments, and inaction had exacerbated the jobs crisis. "The deceptive promise the SEC would be 'brought back to Morwell' and create 59,000 jobs was nothing but a grab for votes."

"We were promised Morwell would become the centre of electric vehicle production with a manufacturing facility and 500 jobs, but that project was abandoned. We have the HESC project ready to go, which Labor admits has the potential to create 'thousands of jobs', but the Energy Minister's anti-coal ideology has jeopardised its viability."

"Here in the Valley, where we have powered the state for a century, we have the know-how and infrastructure to lead Victoria through another 100 years of power generation, but we need real leadership from a state government that is prepared to take sensible and decisive action. Labor can no longer neglect the Latrobe Valley. We need investment in new industries, and we need it now," Mr Cameron said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Danny O’Brien thanked volunteers, councils, and community groups for Australia Day events, celebrating new citizens, recognising local award recipients, and highlighting Gippsland South’s community spirit and contributions.
• Venus Bay’s Eric Collier joins 2026 CMAA Senior Course, supported by a Sound NSW Scholarship
  From January 5-16, 29 emerging artists from Australia, New Zealand, and the US will attend the 2026 CMA Academy Senior Course in Tamworth, gaining mentorship, skills, and career development.
• Latrobe City Council endorses priority advocacy projects to shape 2026–27 Federal Budget submission delegation
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed priority advocacy projects to shape its 2026/27 Federal Budget submission, seeking targeted national investment to drive economic transition, infrastructure delivery, job creation and long-term regional growth.
• Latrobe City invites community to celebrate International Rose Garden Festival Morwell with lights, music and fun on 7-8 November 2025
  Latrobe City Council invites everyone to the free International Rose Garden Festival Morwell, 7-8 November 2025, featuring night lights, live music, workshops, market stalls, performers, and over 4,000 blooming roses.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Economic Development Strategy guiding growth, investment, workforce, and industry diversification through 2031
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed an Economic Development Strategy to guide growth, investment, workforce development, and industry diversification, creating a vibrant, inclusive, and nationally significant industrial hub by 2031.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Transition Reserve Policy to drive economic diversification, growth and long-term job creation
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed a Transition Reserve Policy to support economic diversification, fund enabling infrastructure, attract new industries, and allocate future surpluses to drive long-term regional growth and jobs.
• Darren Chester celebrates Lakes Entrance musician Dr Megan Burslem advancing classical music nationally via ABC
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised Lakes Entrance-born musician Dr Megan Burslem for promoting classical music nationally through ABC Classic, ABC TV, and her new series, Front Row.
• Community invited to join Project Reference Group shaping East Gippsland’s future aquatic strategy and facilities planning
  East Gippsland community members are invited to join a Project Reference Group to help shape the new Aquatic Strategy, guiding future facility planning, investment, and service delivery across the shire.