Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:50): (1927) My question is for the Minister for Environment. Last week the eminent panel for community engagement released its long-awaited report on the future use and management of the Central Highlands state forests, which recommended an expansion of the Yarra Ranges and Baw Baw national parks. This sits alongside the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council investigation of the Central Highlands and the national recovery plan for the Leadbeater’s possum, both of which recognise an enlarged national park as a long-term solution to protect its habitat. Despite this, the government’s response last week announced minor changes to land management. The Central Highlands includes most of the remaining Leadbeater’s possums and are among the most carbon-dense forests in the world. It also supplies most of Melbourne’s drinking water and it needs real protection. Can the minister explain, now that he has ignored overwhelming evidence, how he plans to best manage and protect almost 400,000 hectares of forest in my electorate of Northern Victoria?