Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:20): My question could possibly go to the Treasurer, representing the Premier, or the Treasurer – I am just going to ask the question. Just weeks before Christmas a devastating blow has hit the Maffra community. Dicky Bill, an agricultural business that employs 182 people in Maffra and Queensland, has been shut down with almost no notice. My actual question is: with the recent announcements of the business closures in eastern Victoria, what is the government doing to support impacted employees?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:21): Mr Bourman, you have asked the right minister, because the Minister for Regional Development is the correct minister to direct these kinds of questions to. Like you, I was very disappointed with the news of Dicky Bill, and of course I would state at the outset that we know this is very difficult time for workers. My information is that it was unexpected and blindsided a lot of people in that community. They have appointed a voluntary administrator, and RDV, Regional Development Victoria, are seeking to work with the administrator that has been put in to support impacted workers to navigate, obviously, this very challenging time. We will also work with Wellington Shire Council to support the Maffra community. As well, we are dealing with the Yarram announcement at AKD. There has been a lot of work that has been undertaken with that community and that business and to identify potential pathways for a lot of those impacted staff.

Mr Bourman, as I have briefed the Leader of the Nationals, Tom McIntosh and Minister Shing as impacted local members who are working with their communities, I am more than happy for you to also receive the latest advice on what we are doing as RDV, because there is a lot happening in this space. I know it is very difficult for the communities that you represent, and I am more than happy to give you the information that you need.

Jeff Bourman: The Minister for Regional Development covered off my supplementary.