Thursday, 23 February 2023

Timber industry

Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) (11:19): Our timber industry in Victoria is under continual threat, with lock-ups of native timber resources now placing thousands more jobs at risk. Reports this week in the Herald Sun suggest that operators in Gippsland are staring down another wave of job losses, with no plan from the Victorian government to fix the mess it has created. Regional communities are already under pressure with the cost of living rising; job cuts are the last thing we need in the towns that are already against the wall. Workers in this industry are not looking for payouts, they are looking for security of work so they can put food on the table for their families.

Our harvesters, haulage workers and sawmillers all deserve more respect than they have been shown by this government. This will have a flow-on effect to our already stressed building and construction industry, where supply issues are causing price spikes and product shortages. Everything this government does makes it harder to do business in Victoria. The Victorian government should be working to protect these jobs, not working to sell them out and sweep them away, causing long-term issues in our proud regional communities. I would like this government to do what it promised and govern for all Victorians, including the native timber hardwood industry.