Bega Cheese
Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (19:19): (1139) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Regional Development in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to meet with me and Moira Shire Council regarding the closure of Bega Cheese, Strathmerton. The announcement that Bega Cheese will close its Strathmerton site is devastating news for its 300 workers, their families, suppliers, contractors and the broader community across the Goulburn Valley. This is a huge loss of an iconic, long-term business and major employer of the town and region and a clear example of the financial pressure faced by businesses in regional Victoria. The closure of this business will not only have a significant impact on the workers and their families, who have relied on the stability of Bega’s operations in Strathmerton since 2008, but will also have a significant economic impact across the region. Whilst Bega is planning a phased closure to be completed by mid next year we need to understand what this will mean for the affected workers, specifically what opportunities exist for redeployment or transition to other industries and what support will be required going forward. We are seeing time and time again the financial pressures that many businesses right across the state are facing, especially in regional Victoria. It is alarming that recent analysis conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that close to 129,000 businesses closed in 2024.
When you think of this, broadly speaking, that is 350 businesses across the state a day. Out of this figure more than 3000 moved interstate. This is alarming and must change. Strathmerton is a town with 1200 residents, and Bega Cheese is a major employer. As the Minister for Regional Development, it is critical that you meet with me and council during this distressful time, and I look forward to your response.