The State Government must reverse its plan to shut down Victoria’s native timber industry or, at the very least, provide fair compensation to the people whose lives have been devastated by the decision, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has told Parliament.
Ms Broad has business owners who have worked in the timber industry for generations. Some are now facing bankruptcy because of the government’s actions.
“This industry shutdown has been devastating for thousands of workers across the state, including timber workers, seed collectors and haulage contractors,” Ms Broad said.
“The absence of a fair compensation program has caused extreme distress for many families.”
Ms Broad said under Labor’s plan, machinery values were capped at $1 million, which was vastly inadequate for many businesses, and the labour of seed collectors was not taken into account in the compensation packages.
“In Alexandra recently, I heard about the exodus of local families from the region, which also impacts schools and local businesses,” said Gaelle Broad.
Ms Broad said while the government had announced an expansion of the compensation to include seed collectors, one local seed collector Brendon Clark, had shared his frustration with the Labor Government’s decision to close the native timber industry, he states:
“The knee-jerk closure – instead of the eight years transition the government had us all planning for – has disrupted small businesses across Victoria. The stress and uncertainty faced by the frontline industry workers and their families are overwhelming, leaving them in limbo. With some of them, myself included, not having been paid for months with no sign of compensation as yet. The future looks uncertain, casting a shadow of doubt over the entire community,” he said.
“On a personal note, I am reaching out to you because I find myself in a dire financial situation, nearing bankruptcy. Unfortunately, I have not received any support from the labor government since the closure of the industry. I am desperate to speak to someone who can understand and address the damages that have been inflicted upon businesses like mine. The situation has become so critical that I am on the verge of losing my home.
“I have made numerous attempts to contact the premier’s office by phone and email, but I have yet to receive a reply. Instead, I was advised to apply for Centrelink. But Centrelink payments don’t cover the thousands of dollars in bills my business still has, which I can no longer afford to pay …”
Mr Clark said timber workers had played a vital role in building homes and livelihoods and contributed billions of dollars to the Victorian economy for generations.
“Yet, their history of contribution is seemingly disregarded in the government’s approach to business and individual redundancies. It’s a painful reminder of broken promises and lies from those in power,” Mr Clark said.
Ms Broad said: “At a time when we should be using more timber in environmentally sustainable buildings, the Victorian government has sent our state backwards.”
“Labor can’t manage money and they are destroying the livelihoods of hard-working Victorians.”
Media Contacts:
Brendon Clark – Director Clark Generations 0438 333 636
Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
