Lovell Speaks on Bega Cheese Strathmerton Closure
Statement from the Member for Northern Victoria Region, Wendy Lovell
The recent announcement that Bega Cheese will close its Strathmerton site, consolidating operations in New South Wales and causing the loss of 300 local jobs, has shocked the community and sent a clear warning about the dire business conditions created by the Allan Labor Government.
It is always disappointing when companies are forced to move operations away from regional Victoria, and my first thoughts are with the workers and their families affected by this devastating decision.
My immediate priority is ensuring Bega redeploys as many staff as possible to the Tatura site and works with other local manufacturers to place affected workers into new jobs. The state and federal governments must also step up and provide support and retraining assistance for workers needing to transition to other industries.
Local businesses supplying goods and services to the Strathmerton plant will also face heavy impacts, with economic ripples felt across the entire region.
Recent analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows 129,000 Victorian businesses closed in 2024 – over 350 a day – while more than 3,000 moved interstate. This mass exodus reflects the rising cost of doing business in Victoria, fuelled by the Allan Labor Government’s regime of punitive taxes and suffocating regulations.
It is sadly unsurprising that a company with sites in other states would choose to relocate to New South Wales, where business conditions are more competitive and government policy encourages – rather than punishes – investment and job creation.
The Allan Labor Government cannot manage money, cannot manage the economy, and Victorians are paying the price.
https://vic.liberal.org.au/article/2025-05-07-lovell-statement-on-the-closure-of-the-bega-cheese-strathmerton-site-statement