Melina Bath with timber workers in Gippsland
Labor’s Minister for Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio has denied Gippsland native timber workers an audience in the Latrobe Valley, instead choosing to return to Melbourne. Source: Timberbiz
Gippsland timber workers and their families called on Minister D‘Ambrosio to meet with them to discuss the impact of Labor’s decision to shut the native timber industry by 1 January 2024.
Attending an event in Morwell, Ms D‘Ambrosio refused to meet with workers, who were peacefully demonstrating outside the event.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said true to form Labor denied timber workers the opportunity to raise their legitimate concerns.
“The Andrews Government has exhibited zero accountability, empathy, or respect by ignoring the valid concerns of timber workers, their families, and our regional communities,” she said.
“The so-called science the Minister cites to justify the closure of the native timber industry in Victoria is selective, flawed and disproven.
“Timber is the ultimate renewable resource and instead of axing a sustainable industry, Labor should be embracing it.
“The Andrews Government has blatantly refused to communicate with timber workers and understand their grievances – it’s dismissive and disconnected from the regional people whose lives and livelihoods are being decimated.
“Hiding behind padlocked gates, security guards and slinking out a back entrance is spinelessness.”
Ms Bath said Gippsland native timber workers deserved an audience with Labor MPs to clarify forestry packages and compensation.
Timber workers are citing inadequate compensation and mental health support for their peaceful protest and request today.
Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron said he was disgusted that Minister D’Ambrosio turned her back on workers, denying them an audience.
“Labor has a complete disregard for our timber towns, workers, and their families – these people are standing there telling us they feel abandoned, and MPs choose to slip out the backdoor.
“These hardworking people have no certainty about how they will pay their bills or put food on the table,” he said.
“The Andrews Government is more concerned about the optics and producing spin instead of our native timber workers.”
