A Jess Wilson-led Liberal and Nationals Government is standing with the communities of the Latrobe Valley by investing $20 million to secure the jobs of today while unlocking the jobs of the future.
The Liberals and Nationals will establish a Latrobe Valley Jobs and Industry Plan, including a taskforce within Regional Development Victoria (RDV) to attract, facilitate and deliver new private sector industry development and job opportunities for the Valley.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Danny O’Brien, said the plan would give businesses the support they need to expand and create new jobs.
“After 21 of the last 25 years under Labor, the Latrobe Valley has gone from being one of Victoria’s economic powerhouses to facing significant economic and employment challenges,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We need to back the businesses that are already here, attract new investment and make sure local resources can be used to create local jobs.
“That is why a Liberal and Nationals Government will put an initial $20 million behind a dedicated Jobs and Industry Plan, with a taskforce within Regional Development Victoria to fast-track new industry opportunities.
“We want to see the Valley attract a new generation of industries, from advanced manufacturing and energy projects through to new and emerging opportunities.
“We will work with industry to unlock opportunities and support large-scale job-creating industries that make use of the Valley’s existing natural assets.”
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the Latrobe Valley was in desperate need of economic stimulus and meaningful employment opportunities.
“The looming closure of Yallourn, continued job losses at the Maryvale paper mill and the loss of the timber industry have hit our region hard,” Mr Cameron said.
“To make matters worse, Labor promised Morwell would become the centre of electric vehicle production with a manufacturing facility and 500 jobs, but that project was abandoned.
“Labor also promised that bringing back the SEC would deliver jobs for the Latrobe Valley, but SEC’s own staffing figures show there were 163 employees based in Melbourne compared with just 13 in Morwell in June this year.
“That is the difference between making announcements about regional jobs and actually creating them.
“The key to attracting investment and creating jobs in the Valley is to encourage responsible, sustainable use of our coal deposits and other natural advantages, and the Liberals and Nationals will do exactly that.”
This commitment is part of the Liberals and Nationals positive plan to grow the economy, create local jobs and deliver regional Victorians their fair share.
