DEAR News Of The Area,
AS a Kempsey local and timber worker for 25 years, I’m deeply disappointed that the government has overlooked sound science and policy in favour of creating a massive Koala Park.
However I am even more disappointed with the way a number of local elected representatives have swallowed the government’s spin that workers will be taken care of without talking to workers like me to understand the real impact.
Fact: the current support package is less generous than what was offered by the previous Liberal-National Government, and even less than what the Victorian Government provided just last year.
Fact: According to the government’s own research, timber workers in our region earn twice as much as those in tourism.
If tourism jobs do magically materialise, workers will need substantial support to make up for the 50% pay cut.
Fact: There are already more workers impacted than the government initially predicted, and they are struggling to all get genuine assistance.
It’s unfortunate that workers are being left behind by this government.
A thoughtful plan could have supported both sustainable jobs and a Koala Park.
Regards,
John GUNST,
Kempsey.
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