EXTRACT FROM

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

HANSARD

Ms SHING Eastern Victoria

MEMBERS STATEMENTS

Hazelwood power station

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Hazelwood power station

Ms SHING (Eastern Victoria) (10:04:25) — This week marks the lead‑up to one year since the end of production at the Hazelwood power station in the Latrobe Valley. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to every worker who ever made this sector profitable through their efforts, their endeavours and their work in often very, very difficult circumstances; to everyone who ever contributed engineering, technical, machining and other expertise through the work that they did as part of Hazelwood being able to provide such a significant contribution to our baseload energy generation and transmission; and also to the many supply chain businesses that profited from and provided a contribution to the state’s economy in the work that they did.

The last year has not by any stretch of the imagination been an easy one. It has been full of challenges. It has required such a hard effort and ongoing support for and engagement with businesses, industries, workers, families and communities to be able to continue through this to a transition that makes a practical difference. What we see now, however, is a worker transfer scheme, new building and construction, and economic growth in the region. This work has to and should continue into the future. It is hard work, and it needs to continue in good faith. Again I am so proud to be part of this community and to live in the Morwell and Latrobe Valley area. Again I salute everyone involved, and I continue the work along with the community.