Carlie Porteous on the steps of Victorian Parliament with forestry supporters
The years of perseverance from the Wellington Shire Council which led to revelations the Victorian State Government signed off on the closure of the State’s native timber industry in April 2018, nearly two years before the government’s announcement in November 2019, has been applauded by the Australian Forests Contractors Association. Source: Timberbiz
“Unfortunately, you do not have to dig very far into the documentation to appreciate the lack of decision making and the absolute and deliberate exclusion of contractors and hardwood sawmillers to a fair consultation process,” AFCA general manager Carlie Porteous said.
“Forestry workers were never consulted, advised or considered. The actions of the government during this period were abhorrent.”
FOI documents, finally released to the Council after years of requests and appeals, show Premier Daniel Andrews signed off Labor’s 2030 ban on native timber in April 2018 – nearly two years before the government’s announcement in November 2019.
Ms Porteous said letters provided by the government, as reported by Wellington Shire Council through the documents released through FOI, indicated a secure future.
So much so that sawmilling businesses, harvest and haulage operators and flow-on support businesses invested in new capital equipment.
A number of contractors have indicated they expanded or planned to expand their businesses based on information provided to them by the State Government on the sustainability of the native timber industry.
“Contracting businesses are highly asset-intensive,” Ms Porteous said.
“Most are small to medium sized, family-owned and multi-generational businesses who have invested, heavily, in a future that was decided for them and hid from them.”
Now, contracting businesses are hanging up the boots, some with significant debt as a result of their investment in the industry.
“Some of my members have not worked since November 2021,” Ms Porteous said.
“No business can continue to operate with this level of uncertainty.”
She said that currently eight harvesting crews had been stood down, with uncertain futures, because of legal action against VicForests.
The continuing injunctions, as a result of poor government policy, legislative uncertainty and inconsistent Supreme Court interpretations, were crippling the industry.
A delegation of contractors, sawmilling businesses and employees of some of the largest industry employers in Victoria met at State Parliament last week to get this message across.
The delegation of approximately 20 was organised by friend and advocate for the industry, Narracan MP Gary Blackwood, with State Nationals leader Peter Walsh and East Gippsland MLA Melina Bath providing significant support for the meetings.
Members of AFCA, VFPA and CFMEU met with ministers and members from The Nationals, Liberal Party, Labor Party, Darren Hinch’s Justice Party, Liberal Democrats, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and the Transport Matters Party.
“All of the constituents met with the members and were extremely generous with their time,” Ms Porteous said.
“They were empathetic to the needs of the industry and expressed concern regarding the immediate financial hardship of these businesses and timber communities. There was, across all parties, a real uniting of support,” she said.
“These are also the same businesses that fought the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires.
“Thirty-four crews contributed to the firefighting efforts, clearing roads, creating fire breaks and preventing the fire from destroying critical infrastructure and houses.
“These 34 crews worked for 138 days straight to protect the communities that they support and that support them,” Ms Porteous said.
“It’s a shame this government couldn’t return the same level of support and appreciation for these heroes. I wonder who will be left to protect Victorians when the next catastrophic bushfire hits.”
