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Northe speaks in Parliament about Latrobe Valley’s jobs crisis

Member for Morwell Russell Northe today spoke in Parliament about the Victorian Governments absolute neglect of local jobs in Latrobe Valley and its refusal to save existing jobs in the region.

By Portal Admin - 25th May 2017 - Back to News

Mr Northe said last week’s announcement that Carter Holt Harvey’s Morwell Mill will likely close its operations follows a long list of businesses that have closed their doors whilst Daniel Andrews and his Government sit idly by.

"This is another devastating blow to the Latrobe Valley community with 160 Carter Holt Harvey workers soon to be unemployed and hundreds more likely to be impacted," Mr Northe said.

"This recent announcement about Carter Holt Harvey’s Mill is going to have a very real and damaging impact on the Latrobe Valley community.

"The announcement by Carter Holt Harvey gives further uncertainty on the future of local industries in the Latrobe Valley into a jobs crisis."

Mr Northe said Daniel Andrews must provide real jobs for real people in the Latrobe Valley as a matter of urgency.

"The unemployment rate in Latrobe Valley has spiralled out of control since the Labor Government took office in December 2014," Mr Northe said.

"Jobs in the Latrobe Valley are already at a premium with the unemployment rate now sitting at 11.2%.

"Even before the closure of Hazelwood Power Station and Carter Holt Harvey unemployment was up 50 per cent in just two years under this current State Government."

Mr Northe said we have also seen a number of other businesses shutting their doors across the Latrobe Valley including BOC Gases, Alternate Dwellings, Latrobe Valley Hotel and Johnson Health Tech.

"The Latrobe Valley is hurting and the Andrews Government is not doing enough to stop the challenges that are occurring in our local community," Mr Northe said.

"The Premier said he would fight for every Victorian job. However, if you live in the Latrobe Valley this simply does not apply."

Attached is a copy of Russell’s speech in Parliament for your information.

Media contact: 5133 9088

Source: www.gippsland.com

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