LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
IN reference to pages one and three (Gippsland Times 21/3) once again, thanks to the Gippsland Times for the balanced coverage of the Heyfield Australian Sustainable Hardwoods debacle.
We are becoming a bit weary of the unhelpful remarks regarding “greedy mill owners” and “blackmailing” the poor government.
This from the black art of politics (the manipulation of public opinion through the media).
Press releases, photo shoots of a beaming smile and a fist full of dollars (for all and sundry except Heyfield), and promises Premier Daniel Andrews cannot keep.
“We will try to keep as many jobs as we can in Heyfield”?
On his predicated outcome (other interested parties running the mill, etc.) less than a quarter of these people would retain their positions.
Has Daniel Andrews a job lined up for each and every worker who doesn’t?
Close enough for them to maintain their homes and family lives, and available as soon as the plant closes?
Family is the backbone of our Australian way of life, and it is being eroded here in Heyfield, by this situation.
“Oh, they’ll get a payout!”
And when that’s gone to catch up the backlog of bills piling up in this uncertainty?
Still no job, and if their wives and partners are lucky enough to still be working, no Centrelink help either.
How dare Mr Andrews look on Heyfield and its people as a pile of sawdust, just to be swept aside.
If he can’t give these people a job and some dignity for living, then give ASH a viable log contract, and let them and our town get on with living normally.
Certainly there should be more studies done on all aspects of the argument, but let them work in the meantime, and let’s be a bit more selective about who makes the studies.
If any of our detractors assume our vehemence is politically motivated, let them be assured we have been equally vehement in similar situations, when the other side has been in our sights over injustice.
Equally, we would hold Opposition Leader Matthew Guy to his promises should he be given the opportunity.
This is not political.
It is about man’s inhumanity to man a trait fast overtaking the concept of mateship in our country.
