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Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families

Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.

By news@gippsland - 30th July 2026 - Back to News

Hard-working Gippslanders are continuing to pay the price for the Labor-Greens illogical decision to shut down the native hardwood timber industry, according to Federal MP Darren Chester. Mr Chester said the announcement of a further 84 job losses at the Maryvale Mill was a direct result of the ‘environmental and economic madness of the Labor government and the Greens’.

Darren Chester says 84 additional Maryvale Mill job losses highlight the impact of Labor-Greens forestry policies on Gippsland workers and regional manufacturing

Maryvale jobs lost

Mr Chester said, "It is devastating news for the workers and their families that more jobs will be lost at the mill which has been such a critical part of the economic life of the Latrobe Valley. I have been reassured by Opal executives that workers will receive their full entitlements, but the loss of jobs will have a widespread impact on the region."

In its statement, Opal said the Maryvale Mill suffered substantial losses due to the Victorian government’s failure to meet its contractual obligations under the Wood Pulp Agreement. In late 2025, Opal commenced court action arising from the government’s failure to supply wood in accordance with the Agreement.

"The end of white paper production has significantly changed the operational footprint of the mill, and the site has been working hard to right-size its operations as a kraft and recycled paper manufacturer. This has included ongoing fixed cost reductions to align with its reduced footprint," the statement said.

Timber industry backed

Mr Chester said the announcement demanded direct action from the state and federal governments to develop a well-funded economic transition plan in consultation with local community leaders. And it also reinforced the need to save the hardwood timber industry across Australia from the Labor-Greens. "We need governments which are prepared to work with the private sector to create jobs in the Latrobe Valley and not continually undermine our traditional strengths in energy and manufacturing."

"At state and federal levels, the Labor Party has failed to back the timber workers and recognise some of Australia’s leading forest scientists who support the sustainable hardwood timber industry. Labor at state and federal level has demonstrated complete and utter contempt for the forest industry in Australia over the past 20 years."

"Driven by their desperate need to secure Green preferences in the city, Labor leaders have sold out blue-collar workers in regional communities. Thousands of jobs have already been lost, communities have been destroyed, and the regions are less safe because we have lost the equipment and the skilled workforce which we’ve always relied on during major bushfire events," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The Nationals have pledged weekly general rubbish collections across Gippsland, promising to review landfill levies and waste charges to reduce costs and ease pressure on families.
• The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
  The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• Wellington Shire Council backs West Sale Airport for proposed Gippsland Police Academy training campus
  Wellington Shire Council will advocate for a Gippsland Police Academy at West Sale Airport, citing existing infrastructure, the former TAFE campus, expansion capacity and potential regional jobs, investment and training opportunities.
• Wellington Shire Council secures $2M for road safety improvements across five Gippsland towns before mid-2027
  Wellington Shire Council has secured $2 million for road safety upgrades across Maffra, Stratford, Sale, Wurruk and Heyfield, with works beginning before Christmas and completion expected by mid-2027.
• Latrobe Council urges Premier Carroll to fast-track investment, industry growth and secure future jobs in Valley
  Latrobe City Council has urged newly appointed Premier Ben Carroll to meet urgently on economic diversification, investment and job creation as the region faces energy transition, manufacturing job losses and Yallourn 2028 closure.
• Councils begin planning for renewable energy growth across Wellington and South Gippsland communities
  Wellington and South Gippsland councils have begun a major renewable energy planning project, backed by $4.7 million, to prepare communities for future growth through housing, infrastructure, employment, services and economic development.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
  The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards.
• Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
  Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season.
• Traralgon Tyers interconnect begins, strengthening water supply reliability and resilience across four Gippsland towns for future regional growth
  Gippsland Water has begun construction on a 4.5-kilometre pipeline linking four towns to Traralgon’s water network, improving reliability, resilience, efficiency and capacity for future regional growth.
• Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
  Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing.
• Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
  Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas.