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The Nationals blame Labor government after 84 more jobs cut at Maryvale paper mill in Latrobe Valley

Nationals MP Martin Cameron blamed the Victorian Labor government after Opal announced 84 job cuts at Maryvale, arguing forestry policy and timber supply failures caused ongoing workforce losses.

By news@gippsland - 31st July 2026 - Back to News

The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has lashed the Carroll Labor government for its part in the latest round of job losses in the Latrobe Valley. Opal has announced 84 jobs will be axed at the Maryvale paper mill as a direct result of Labor’s failure to meet its contractual obligation to supply timber.

Melina Bath blamed Premier Ben Carroll for Maryvale job losses, alleging inadequate worker support and responsibility for the forestry policies impacts

Melina Bath blamed Premier Ben Carroll for Maryvale job losses, alleging inadequate worker support and responsibility for the forestry policies impacts

Broken timber promise

Mr Cameron said, "The nonsensical closure of the native timber industry has been disastrous for the Latrobe Valley workforce. In 2019, former premier Daniel Andrews guaranteed 1,000 workers at the mill their livelihoods were secured until 2050, but that was a lie."

"Labor pulled the rug out from underneath the mill workers when he went back on his word and shut the industry six years ahead of schedule. This move had an enormous impact on the mill’s operations and has placed Opal under unsustainable financial pressure," Mr Cameron said.

Avoidable jobs losses

Nearly 200 jobs were cut when the Maryvale mill ceased production of white paper in 2023, and another 40 were lost in 2024. "Now we are losing another 84 jobs - and it was avoidable. Labor killed off a sustainable industry for political expediency."

"I have requested a briefing with Opal to understand the finer details of this decision and discuss support available for workers, but one thing is clear - Latrobe Valley families continue to pay the price for Labor’s disastrous forestry policy," Mr Cameron said. Premier Ben Carroll served as the Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty when the white paper mill shut in 2023.

Premier blamed directly

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, said the Premier was liable for the trail of destruction left across the Latrobe Valley. "Ben Carroll sat idly as 200 jobs were lost at Maryvale, he failed to provide support for retrenched workers and backed in the forestry policy that caused this mess."

"The Premier is culpable for bringing this industry to its knees and he is responsible for the latest round of job losses in the Valley. The leader may have changed, but it’s still the same old tired and corrupt Labor government presiding over the destruction of regional Victoria," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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