The Victorian government’s support package to stranded native timber workers, announced on Friday, is a final slap in the face to an industry on death row, according to Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy.

“Despite promising a staged transition through to 2030, Labor in May fast-tracked the industry’s demise, announcing a total shut down from January 1 – just a month away,” she said.

“Now, Labor is offering Victoria’s native forest harvest workers and haulage logging contractors a paltry reimbursement as compensation.

“Industry leaders confirm that in effect haulage operators will be offered just 50 cents in the dollar for the next year and harvesting contractors 30 cents in the dollar for the remaining term of their contract, some of which conclude as soon as mid- 2024.

“This does not offer the length of security they deserve,” Ms Kealy said.

“It comes as the Premier Jacinta Allan refuses to meet with industry leaders.”

On October 19 in Parliament, under questioning from The Nationals leader Peter Walsh, Premier Jacinta Allan agreed to a meet with the native timber industry.

“However, the updated transition package was released without this promise being fulfilled,” Ms Kealy said.

The Australian Forest Contractors Association is still pushing for a meeting as the clock ticks.

The native timber industry represents a large segment of the state’s overall timber industry creating 2500 jobs and generating more than $770 million in revenue each year.

“In another broken promise, Premier Allan failed to meet with Victoria’s sustainable forestry industry before the final compensation package was announced,” Ms Kealy said.

“As a result, there are many more questions and significant shortfall of fair compensation for the family businesses, workers and communities that were built around a sustainable forest industry .

“As a result, the announcement shows a gross lack of understanding of the way that harvest and haulage operators will have to wind down their operations and will leave them significantly out-of-pocket for contracts that Labor had no intention of ever delivering.

“Nothing could be worse for families already struggling as cost of living pressures skyrocket in the lead up to Christmas.

“Premier Allan can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and can’t manage to respect Victoria’s timber workers as she cuts down their jobs, their industry and the future of their communities.”

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 7 December 2023.