Tuesday, 30 May 2023

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (18:38): (259) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Agriculture, and the action that I seek is that she outline the plan to deal with the myriad of consequences that the decision to shut the native timber industry brings to regional Victoria. Behind every policy there are people, and behind every industry is a community that relies on it. The impact of closing down the timber industry will be felt most by regional communities that are already struggling to provide employment in their area, especially in Gippsland, which is still recovering from the closure of Hazelwood, Carter Holt Harvey and the impending closure of Yallourn. This week, with the stroke of a pen, the government has destroyed a completely sustainable industry, and as a result it will destroy the communities that rely on it. As was reported in the Sunday Herald Sun, Mr Fenner from W & J Fenner Logging said:

If we all move interstate there will be no one to help out with bushfires, like the last time. I hope people realise that …

Cr Dale Harriman, who was the chair of the National Timber Councils Association, said:

The Native Timber Industry supplies our only renewable and sustainable building product and has provided a living to regional Victorian families for nearly 200 years.

This decision has already cost workers their jobs and has left business owners with millions of dollars of equipment which is now close to worthless – this is equipment bought thinking they had until 2030 to continue with their work.

The Timber industry only accesses 6% of Victoria’s native forests and harvests 4 out of every 10,000 trees a year. They provide the frontline resources and personnel to every bushfire at no cost to the community.

This decision will now put our entire native forests at risk as well as the native wildlife that make it home. In 5 years we will be facing unprecedented undergrowth fuel load, no access roads and no experienced timber workers to fight the inevitable fires.

The effects of this move from the government are catastrophic. Only an abusive and self-serving government would shut down an industry that is completely sustainable, knowing full well that the state does not have the resources to fairly compensate the communities that are affected.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the incredible advocacy by my colleague Melina Bath. Week after week I have seen her stand in this place and fight for our community with facts and compassion. Although this has been ignored by the Labor government, I, along without our community, am so grateful. This fight is far from over.