Mr NORTHE (Morwell) — Here we are now, 37 days from Hazelwood power station closing and it appears nothing has changed from a state government perspective. We have local people who have already lost their jobs and hundreds more who are about to lose their jobs and are really at their wit’s end about what the future holds for them and their families. Whilst some forms of training are available to employees and contractors, the reality is that these people and their families need jobs and they need them now.
To switch off this plant at such short notice is completely and utterly irresponsible from so many perspectives. Hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs will be lost, security of supply will be threatened and there will be massive cost increases to consumers. What a shocking outcome on so many levels. Whilst the state government seems to be in denial that our community will be impacted by the closure, these views are not shared by many, and I offer a few comments from some local residents.
Leigh Ruzicka said:
I want Morwell and surrounding towns to survive. Workers to have jobs and keep supporting their families.
Molly Love said:
Morwell and the Latrobe Valley residents are sick and tired of being treated worse than illegal immigrants, all we want is a fair bloody go.
Roderick Cheatley said:
Duplicity of Andrews government is nauseating. Premier is pandering to inner-city elites and paying lip-service to ‘regional renewal’ while families in the Latrobe Valley pay the price.
This Sunday our community will host a Rally for the Valley event, in which support will be shown for workers, contractors and businesses that will be impacted by Hazelwood’s closure. This is something completely different from what the state government is demonstrating right now to Latrobe Valley residents, workers and our community more broadly.