The Andrews Labor Government needs to lift its game to prepare for the coming fire season, Member for Euroa and Nationals deputy leader, Steph Ryan has warned. In a scathing report released last week, the Victorian Auditor-General found Labor had monumentally failed to meet its prescribed burning targets. Ms Ryan also raised concerns about long…
The Victorian Auditor General’s long-awaited report into Reducing Bushfire Risk released today, reveals the Andrews Labor Government has over the past four years not even reached half (43%) of its arguably already low fuel reduction burn target. Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said the independent report showed what most East Gippslanders knew, not…
Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy has raised concerns about the condition of bushland roads and tracks in Victoria’s public parks. In Parliament this week Mr McCurdy questioned the Minister for the Environment on the issue. “Parks Victoria has neglected our regional parks and camping sites,” Mr McCurdy said. “The evidence…
The Agriculture Minister’s recent hollow announcements around timber plantations does nothing for security of the local industry, says Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull. “When you have the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining And Energy Union (CFMMEU), slamming a Labor policy, it’s a fair indication it is seriously flawed. “The CFMMEU says the policy…
The Andrews Government’s native timber transition plan has been labelled a sham after Labor walked away from establishing hardwood plantations. During State Parliament Ms Bath pushed Minister for Agriculture, Jaclyn Symes for answers, however the native timber industry continues to be met by silence from the Minister. Ms Bath cited the former HPV plantation at…
Insufficient firewood collection areas are available to local residents, Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said. Mr McCurdy said the opening of the Spring firewood collection season on 1 September once again failed to provide adequate designated collection sites. “I am yet again disappointed there have not been more local firewood collection…
The Federal Government has announced it will split the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) after a long campaign by irrigators and the Victorian Liberal Nationals. A new statutory compliance role will split the MDBA’s conflicting responsibilities by creating an Inspector-General of Water Compliance. Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the split would help resolve…
East Gippsland firewood merchants and timber harvesters are warning this winter’s firewood shortage is likely just a foretaste of a permanent shortage should the government proceed with its plans to end native timber harvesting in the state. Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, says the suspension of timber harvesting after the bushfires is…
A review of the Victorian timber industry’s Code, announced by the Andrews Labor Government today, is another nail in the coffin for local jobs and industry confidence. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said the Government’s review of the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 will do nothing to protect jobs. “The Andrews Labor…
The supply of logs to the Fenning timber mill has “run out” today, prompting Nationals MP for Gippsland East Tim Bull, to call for urgent intervention in Parliament. “This is a highly regarded local company that employs 50 people and contributes much to our community. “The Premier said he would walk with us…
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has congratulated Australian Carbon Innovation (ACI) on securing a one year funding reprieve from the Andrew Government. Ms Bath said the funding announcement was overdue with ACI having a significant track record in innovative research and development. “Having personally made multiple representations in State Parliament advocating…
Member for Euroa Steph Ryan says a new target to plant one million new trees over the next 12 months must be accompanied by funding for Victoria’s Landcare facilitators. The Nationals released a roadmap last week outlining constructive, positive suggestions for how the Andrews Government could help communities in the wake of COVID-19. …