Thursday, 30 July 2026

 Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (18:29): (2658) My adjournment is for the Minister for Ports and Freight, and the action I seek is an update on how the government is supporting the electrification of freight operations. Every electric bus that we get on the roads is 40,000 litres of diesel that we can save for our farmers. Every truck in the freight network helps gets produce to our supermarkets, removing shocks from our supply chains around oil. Our food supply chain is too important to be at the whim of global markets.

While we are talking about trucks, I would like to talk about a campaign by the Transport Workers Union. The TWU are running a local campaign at Saputo’s Maffra and Leongatha sites. For the last 60 years there has been a clear custom and practice that the longest serving seasonal driver would be given priority when a permanent position is available. The principle of first come, first served dates back to the Devondale Murray Goulburn days. It meant workers had the confidence that their loyalty and service would be recognised and rewarded. Saputo has disappointingly stopped following the first come, first served principle. Their decision undermines worker trust and confidence. It denies a fair go to seasonal drivers, who are already experiencing insecure work.

Workers who dedicate years of loyal service to their employers should be treated fairly, consistently and with respect. Milk tanker drivers are essential to Victoria’s dairy industry. They do essential work and should be afforded job security. Foreign-owned giants like Saputo, who have entered the Victorian market by buying out local providers, owe it to regional workers to offer a fair go, job security and certainty. I want to acknowledge the work of the TWU, their delegates and their members. This is why it is important for workers to be union members and have representation in their workplace to ensure their quality of life.