The State Government has been blasted for not supporting the businesses it promised to assist in shutting down the native timber industry.
Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said the State Government was applying criteria that stopped it assisting the very businesses it promised to help.
“On August 23, 2023, Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney put out a media release stating the Andrews Labor Government would support businesses that were impacted but not licensed to VicForests and the media release cited firewood sellers, guitar makers and seed collectors as examples,” Mr Bull said.
“But 18 months later and firewood sellers, Tim and Andea Knight – the very type of business that was stated would be supported – are not.
“They are now told the forestry transition support packages for businesses are being directed towards those businesses with a contractual relationship with VicForests, or businesses that offered specialised services to either VicForests or sawmills.
“However, the original statement from Minister Tierney said businesses would be supported that were not licensed to VicForests.
“The Knights have also been told they are classified as ‘retailers’ and can therefore source their product from elsewhere or sell alternative products. This raises three points:
– Firstly, they were purchasing directly off VicForests, so how are they not eligible?
– Secondly, they simply cannot purchase firewood elsewhere at an affordable level with the timber industry having closed.
– Thirdly, regardless of the above, there is no mention of retailers being excluded in the original announcement or media release.”
Mr Bull pointed out a further anomaly.
“Trucking company, Pelz Haulage, had a large part of its business servicing mills, among other things removing the sawdust,” he said.
“The correspondence to the Knights says businesses that offered specialised services to sawmills (like Pelz Haulage) will be covered.
“But there is no explanation as to why Pelz Haulage is not being compensated.
“This is all happening while we have timber transition money being spent on rubbish like (quoted from the latest Labor media release): Upskilling community members to help identify future economic opportunities, and; Identifying initiatives by local Innovation Working Groups through Local Development Strategies.
“Spare me! This will amount to nothing and is money that should be going to those whose livelihoods have been taken away or impacted.
“We now have a new Minister in Ros Spence, who has in the past shown a better understanding and more rational approach, and I have asked her to intervene and assist these businesses as her predecessor promised,” Mr Bull said.
Richard Pelz, owner and director of Pelz Haulage, said the situation was a “talkfest”.
“There has been no support at all, it’s just ridiculous,” Mr Pelz said.
“We’ve been doing this job for years – it’s just insulting to us. I was offered a $3000 payout and I said ‘no offence, but that is an insult.
“We are very disappointed at this stage.”
Mr Pelz will be hoping to get more answers regarding an improved payout when he meets with officials tomorrow in Melbourne.
