The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the State Labor Government must guarantee all 250 jobs at the Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) mill in Heyfield.
Today’s announcement that an in-principle agreement has been reached between government and ASH owners Hermal Group has only confirmed there will be no job losses while contract negotiations are finalised.
“If a single job is lost at the Heyfield mill, then Premier Daniel Andrews has failed Gippslanders,” Mr Chester said.
When asked to guarantee the future of the 250 jobs at ASH today, State Labor Minister Jaala Pulford said this on ABC Gippsland radio:
Laura Poole, ABC Gippsland:
“Will the mill have a future with a workforce of 250 people?
Labor Minister Jaala Pulford:
“We recognise that there needs to be change at the mill, but we do believe this is a very viable business. At the timber supply that is available, 80,0000 cubic meters, it will still be the second largest mill in
Victoria, So it still has a very good future. The management who are currently operating the mill, believe it that has a very good future and so does the Victorian Government.”
“At no point in the Minister’s answer did she guarantee those jobs will be saved beyond the contract negotiations,” Mr Chester said.
“Any job losses at Heyfield would have a devastating impact on individual families and the small business sector in the town would also suffer job losses.
“The worst aspect of this situation is that the Heyfield mill would not need to be bought, if it wasn’t for Labor.
“The Labor Party in Victoria has sold out blue-collar workers in the regions for green votes in the city.
“I am concerned the State Labor Government will seek to blame the new management team if there are any job losses from the Heyfield mill.
“But the people of Heyfield won’t be fooled. And they won’t forget that it was Melbourne Labor which created this mess in the first place.”
The Nationals Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said saying there will be “no jobs lost in transition” gives no comfort for the workers as it provides no long term certainty.
It’s a disgrace for Labor to claim this is a “great day for Heyfield” and a “great relief” for workers when the Andrews Government has led from the start a process that will result in significant job losses in the town.