Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Native forest logging

Wayne FARNHAM (Narracan) (19:14): (239) My adjournment this evening is for the leader of the government, and the action I seek is to reverse the decision to end native timber logging. This policy is going to destroy regional Victorian communities, and I am baffled as to why we would let this industry go when we talk about the reduction of carbon. It is the one industry that is sustainable. We can log trees that are full of carbon. We can plant new ones and reduce carbon. This has been proven scientifically, so I am really at a loss as to why we would let this go.

What baffles me even more is probably the actions of the CFMEU, excluding Michael O’Connor. Many in this chamber will be surprised that I used to be a member of the CFMEU.

Members interjecting.

Wayne FARNHAM: Yes, I was actually forced to join. But the motto of the CFMEU used to be ‘One in, all in’. Now, what has happened here with the CFMEU and the main body of the CFMEU, I cannot believe. They will strike for a 7 per cent pay rise, but they will not strike to help out their members in the forestry section of the CFMEU. It was brought up at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings. The member for Gippsland South brought it up at PAEC and asked why we cannot get this industry going again, and the Premier stated, ‘We can’t because of legal advice. If we reinvent the industry and we get it going again, it’s going to be tied up in the federal courts.’ Well, I would say to the Premier: if that is the case, release the legal advice so the timber industry has complete transparency of the decision of the government. If that is the case, let them know. If you have nothing to hide, let them know.

This is so important to our regional communities, and unfortunately this decision affects most of us on this side of the chamber. It does not affect anyone over that side of the chamber. It is so disappointing. I have had phone call after phone call from constituents that are concerned about their future. This decision should be reversed. If the Premier says he does what matters, then he should do what matters for regional Victoria and do what matters for this industry. Govern for all Victorians, like you said you were going to do. Reverse the decision and get timber back on the agenda.