Wednesday, 16 August 2023

 Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (14:38): (272) My question is for the Minister for Regional Development in the other place. Minister, when will you deliver Latrobe Valley a plan that shows leadership and delivers new industry for workers to transition to? Last week the Latrobe Valley Authority finally released the transition plan for my community. It has taken over $300 million and nearly seven years for the LVA to produce an Andrews Labor government propaganda piece. Minister, it contains 52 recommendations but not a single one has a measurable action, assigned responsibility or time frame – nothing. The LVA plan is a wasted opportunity. No other region has been impacted quite like my valley. Our community is haemorrhaging jobs, and feel-good words do not do a single thing to transition our community. Morwell’s unemployment is a shocking 11.5 per cent, the worst in the state. Labor’s track record in the valley is appalling, with no successful investment establishing a new industry. Big job promises like SEA Electric and the Commonwealth Games were farcical, and the SEC is nothing more than a mere headline.