Nationals Melina Bath with Steve Garrett and Scott Ferguson
The Victorian Government’s claim that ‘nobody has to lose their jobs until 2024’ following the decision to halt native timber harvesting in the state has been shown up as wrong at best by the Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath. Source: Timberbiz
Speaking in State Parliament Ms Bath said the effects of the State Government’s plan to close the native timber industry were already being felt.
She said Steve Garrett and his partner Scott Ferguson operate Hardwood Forest Products, a 30-year-old forestry equipment business that services the native timber industry.
“How is it fair that overnight and without warning you stole away the livelihoods of Mr Garrett, his business partner and their six employees that they cannot afford to keep?”
The Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes responded that she “certainly wants face-to-face consultations with all impacted people as part of the decision”.
Ms Bath said later that Ms Symes was informed that Mr Garrett and Mr Ferguson were indeed in the House at that time however, she said later no meeting ever took place.
Ms Bath later said that the Kilsyth-based Hardwood Forest Products Australia, which customises specialist equipment for Victoria’s native timber industry, was being affected by Labor’s planned native timber industry closure “right now’’.
“Three major contracts have been cancelled since the announcement placing their employees jobs under direct and immediate pressure,” Ms Bath said.
“Understandably they are bewildered, devastated and angry. This is just one of the many businesses affected.”
Ms Bath said Labor’s decision has been followed by “twisted rhetoric and questionable propaganda” in attempt to justify their completely unjustifiable decision.
She said Ms Symes had stated on radio ‘nobody has to lose their jobs until 2024’.
“As I said in parliament, this is at best naïve and at worst misleading,” Ms Bath said.
“Labor is ripping established business out from underneath owners and employees. In return, they are being offered a mere $25,000 to engage a consultant to work on a business response plan.
“You cannot use the word ‘certainty’ when you deliberately close an industry and made it a ticking time bomb. Business are suffering and job losses will happen well before their 2024 timeframe,” Ms Bath said.
