Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last year, after speaking at the Australian Forest Products Association dinner in Canberra, the Prime Minister tweeted: 'We want a thriving and a sustainable timber industry. One that provides jobs and drives down our emissions for years to come.' It's a noble sentiment, and I think the Prime Minister actually meant it. But it's a pity that no-one over there ever does anything to support our world-class and environmentally sustainable native hardwood timber industry. Whatever happened to Labor standing up for blue-collar workers? Your mates in Victoria are gutting the timber industry bit by bit, and those opposite say nothing.

Government Member:

A government member interjecting

Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

He's found his voice now! Finally! Not a word of support for the workers in Maryvale mill who've already lost their jobs. Not a word of support for the timber industry families who have been stood down.

Labor in Victoria has a stated policy to destroy the native timber industry by 2030, and it's the only project that Premier Dan Andrews has running ahead of schedule. How's the irony? Every other project is running late and costing billions of dollars more, but the plan to destroy the timber communities and sack blue-collar workers is ahead of schedule. Well done, Victorian Labor MPs! Find your voices! Old Labor lions must be disgusted with the timid flock of lambs you've all become. Prime Minister, it's not good enough to tweet about timber jobs. You actually have to do something. Dan Andrews is killing country towns and your government couldn't care less. (Time expired)