Thursday, 14 November 2019

 Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:49): My constituency question is to the Minister for Agriculture. This week both East Gippsland Shire Council and Latrobe City Council and their councillors have moved a motion to push back against your decision—your appalling decision—to shut down the native timber industry. East Gippsland council included a direction to rescind the decision based on the fact that there was no rationale and no basis for this decision and unethical policy. The Latrobe City Council expresses disappointment in incorrect statements in the recent communications about the decision and highlights the impact on Gippsland and the ramifications for Gippsland into the future. They also request that the Premier and the Minister for Agriculture meet with them. My question is: when will you, as Minister for Agriculture, meet with the local government networks, including those in East Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley?