GIPPSLAND MHR Darren Chester has called an emergency meeting with fellow senior Cabinet ministers to discuss how the Federal Government can help find an ongoing, sustainable supply of sawlogs for the ASH sawmill. Mr Chester brought together Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg, and Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston, who has responsibility for national forestry policies. He said the Federal Government had been forced to look at options, after the Victorian State Government failed to supply ASH with its required 135,000 cubic metres of saw logs.“Our government will be putting pressure on Andrews Labor Government to stand up for Heyfield workers and supply the timber they need,” Mr Chester said. “ASH only needs one thing to save those 260 jobs: more sawlogs. We believe the State Government hasn’t explored all of the options that are available to protect jobs in Heyfield and across Victoria in the timber industry. “Environmental non-government organisations are deliberately using the critically-endangered status of the Leadbeater’s Possum as an excuse to lock up timber harvesting areas, despite the fact they aren’t looking for the possum in state parks. “I would like to see more survey work done looking for possums in state and national parks so the community can have confidence about the true population figures.” Mr Chester said it was crucial to ensure that hard-working people were not thrown out of their jobs in the name of conservation. “What many people in the city don’t realise is that if ASH is shut down, then we will just be importing wood products from overseas countries that don’t adhere to the same environmental practices,” Mr Chester said. “At a personal level, I am deeply concerned the issue is causing trauma in Heyfield and the surrounding areas. “I recognise people will be under pressure, so it is important we reach out to each other. The community needs to stick together and support one another, while we work to get a long-term solution.”