Lisa Neville
The Victorian Opposition is questioning the need for another study into eastern Victoria’s timber industry. Source: ABC News
Labor has released the terms of reference for its Forest Industry Taskforce and Environment Minister Lisa Neville said the group had been asked to provide recommendations about the future of the timber industry, including job protection, economic activity and the protection of native flora, fauna and threatened species, by mid next year.
“We’ll have a really clear road map both about how we ensure a sustainable timber industry and the jobs there and how we also protect some really important natural assets,” she said.
“This is about the remaining timber logging that happens in native forest in the east of Victoria.”
However, Nationals’ Leader Peter Walsh said it was unnecessary.
“I think the industry is very well structured at the moment,” he said.
“Just having another working group puts that uncertainty there into the future.”
He said the Coalition developed an industry action plan when it was in government.
“I really question the value of another study, it just gives more uncertainty to the industry rather than certainty,” he said.
The taskforce includes representatives from the industry, workforce and environmental groups.
