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Graeme Gooding of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries has accused the Government of I ignoring regional voters who elected them on the basis of more rural jobs (The Age, 31/1). He claims that more than 300 jobs could be lost as a result of the proposals outlined in the report.
It must also be noted that the Labor Party promised before the election to cease logging in domestic-water catchments and that the proposal does not honor this promise. It is important that Mr Bracks and his Government do not confuse the issue of rural employment creation with the preservation of existing, unsustainable jobs that jeopardise our vulnerable water supplies.
To protect jobs simply because they exist and ignore their impact on our environment and vital resources is self-defeating and unsustainable. There can be the creation of jobs as well as conservation of our most precious environmental assets.
Mr Bracks has the opportunity to move past the shortsighted jobs- versus-the-environment
debate and honor his promises by providing rural jobs that do not compromise
the quality of life of all Victorians.