Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad has called on the Baillieu-Ryan Government to explain what it is doing to find a replacement company to occupy the site currently occupied by Heinz in Girgarre and help Heinz workers find new jobs when the Heinz factory closes.
During Question Time in Parliament this week, Ms Broad called on the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Mr Dalla-Riva to confirm that the Baillieu-Ryan Government is seeking a replacement company to occupy the site.
Last week Member for Rodney, Mr Paul Weller was reported as saying that the Government is committed to finding another company to move into the site.
This week in Parliament Ms Broad asked Minister Dalla-Riva to confirm Mr Weller’s commitment to the Girgarre community.
However Minister Dalla-Riva failed to make any commitment to seek a replacement company to occupy the site or even to confirm that the Government would facilitate the establishment of a replacement company through financial or other support.
“Minister Dalla-Riva must explain to the Girgarre community and Heinz workers whether the Government is seeking a replacement company or not,” Ms Broad said.
“The Premier should tell Mr Dalla-Riva that he needs to get out of Melbourne and explain to the Girgarre community in person what the Government is doing to secure jobs in regional Victoria.”