Feds announce $43 million Hazelwood package

The Federal Government will immediately provide a $43 million support package for families and workers in the Latrobe Valley affected by the closure of Hazelwood.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said in a statement the new investment would include $3 million in employment support for Hazelwood workers, a $20 million Regional Jobs and Investment Package to assist small to medium businesses and a $20 million regional jobs and infrastructure fund.

Mr Chester is also one of five ministers appointed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to lead a ministerial committee to co-ordinate and oversee the Federal Government’s response to the Hazelwood decision.

Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent has also provided input into the package, the statement said.

Mr Chester said Hazelwood was a “provider of baseload jobs for the Latrobe Valley” and it was important workers received their full entitlements now the closure had been announced.

“There needs to be a willingness to support workers, gain new skills and to attract new industries to our region,” he said.