Memo Labor, public money equals public accountability

June 24, 2026 — 5:00am

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This week The Age reported on worrying shortcomings in the state government’s duty to disclose to the public how $1.5 billion was invested by it into the forestry sector following the banning of native forest logging in January 2024.

Environmental Justice Australia, with support from forensic accounting by Clarium Forensics, examined the money trail for the $1.5 billion that was to be used for transitioning, subsidies, compensation and industry support following the formal end of native logging. The investigation found, from public records, that of the government’s $1.5 billion investment, $615.3 million was unaccounted for.

It also found that ForestWorks, an industry not-for-profit that supported 95 per cent of forestry Worker Support Program recipients, received $71 million to help with training and new skills for forestry workers and their families.

This dovetails with findings handed down in April by Victorian Auditor-General Andrew Greaves which said ForestWorks had failed to keep accurate records and had not........

© The Age