State Nationals MP, Tim Bull, at Fenning Timbers Bairnsdale with a pallet of stacked hardwood timber
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has queried whether Premier Jacinta Allan, who is overseeing the shutdown of the native timber industry, even knows the difference between hardwood and softwood. Source: Timberbiz
“In Parliament last year I asked the Premier a simple question, which read as follows:
With the close of the native hardwood timber industry on 1 January 2024 and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommending the use of timber as the best climate change mitigation measure we can take, resulting in consumer demand increasing, can the Premier provide details on where Victoria’s supply of hardwood timber will now come from?
“However, in her response, the Premier made no mention of hardwood whatsoever, and stated new plantations in Victoria would focus on softwood timber, and softwood sawlog production will boost the state’s supplies of pine plantation building products,” Mr Bull said.
“The question never mentioned softwood, only hardwood and it was relating to where the supply of it would come from for our flooring and furniture, as well as a host of other items Victorian manufacturers produce.
“The answer indicates one of two things; either the Premier does not know where the hardwood our industries need is coming from, or she does not know the difference between the two products.”
Mr Bull said the final comment in the answer from Premier Allan was galling, where she stated, “we have listened to the timber industry and the support we are providing aims to ensure certainty of work for harvest contractors, their families, communities, and local businesses”.
Mr Bull said there would be timber industry workers infuriated to read this.
“This sustainable industry did not want to shut down, so they certainly were not listened to,” he said.
“In addition, many have been left with offers that do not provide the security required, and other down the line businesses that have been promised support and have received none.
“Sadly, the Premier may have changed, but we get the same old political nonsense in the answers they provide us,” Mr Bull said.
