Liberal Nationals move to establish inquiry into timber ban

Daniel Andrews won’t stand up for Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry, but the Liberal Nationals will.

The Liberal Nationals yesterday introduced a motion to State Parliament to establish an inquiry into the Andrews Labor Government’s destructive plan to cut Victoria’s native timber industry and thousands of Victorian jobs.

The inquiry would report back by June 2021.

Timber workers, businesses and communities feel let down by the lack of detail from the Andrews Labor Government on its decision to ban the native timber industry by 2030.

Labor’s refused to say how much plantation timber will be available for harvest by 2030.

Neither will Andrews explain how he plans to retain unique knowledge of Victoria’s high country bush landscapes and access to heavy machinery, which is invaluable during times of catastrophic bushfire.

The motion will be debated in coming weeks.

Comment attributable to Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh

Andrews has swung the axe on thousands of timber jobs with his decision to ban the native timber industry by 2030.

The Liberal Nationals promised to back Victoria’s sustainable native timber industry against Andrews’ plan to shut it down.

Labor’s decision threatens the existence of our small timber communities – many of which are now under added stress after the summer’s catastrophic bushfires. These communities deserve answers.

Comment attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath

Daniel Andrews can’t tell us where we will get the timber for products like flooring, doors and furniture once he cuts Victoria’s sustainable, responsible industry.

The Liberal Nationals promised to stand up for timber workers and communities. The Andrews Labor Government must now do the same by supporting this inquiry.

Background

The motion introduced to Victorian Parliament yesterday by Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath.

I give notice that, on the next day of meeting, I will move —

That this House requires the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to inquire into, consider and report, by 30 June 2021, on the Victorian Forestry Plan (the Plan), and in particular, the Committee should consider —

1. the area of hardwood plantation currently planted that will be available for sawlog harvest in 2030;2)     the volume of sawlog grade timber that will be available in 2024, 2027 and 2030 under the Plan;
2. the volume of pulp that will be available in 2024, 2027 and 2030 under the Plan;
3. the additional area of land that will be under plantation in 2024, 2027 and 2030 under the Plan;
4. the area of land that would need to be under plantation by 2030 to ensure an uninterrupted supply of timber in Victoria;
5. where Victoria’s timber will be sourced from following the implementation of the Plan;
6. how the Plan will impact the availability of machinery and infrastructure to support fire‑fighting and emergency response and recovery; and
7. the impact of the Plan on forestry workers, businesses and regional economies.

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