This week in Parliament, The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has called on the Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes, to provide ongoing support to those directly impacted by the closure of Bega Cheese Strathmerton.
The announcement of the phased down closure by mid-2026 of Bega’s operations in Strathmerton will see 300 people lose their jobs, with serious flow on impacts set to be felt by their families, suppliers, contractors and the broader local economy.
Ms O’Keeffe said the Allan Labor Government needed to step up to the plate and support the community.
“This is a huge loss of an iconic long-term business and major employer of the town and region, and a clear example of the financial pressure faced by businesses in Victoria,” she said.
“The closure of this business will not only have a significant impact on the workers and their families, who have relied on the stability of Bega’s operations in Strathmerton since 2008. It will also have a significant economic impact across the region.
“Whilst Bega is planning a phased closure to be completed by mid-next year, we need to understand what this will mean for the affected workers, specifically, what opportunities exist for redeployment or transition to other industries, and what support will be required going forward.
“I’ve been in contact with Moira Shire Council and Bega and will continue to work with all parties to ensure essential support is required.”
Recent analysis conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, showed that close to 129,000 businesses closed in Victoria in 2024.
“As the Minister for Regional Development the Treasurer also has to address the ongoing issue of businesses leaving the State,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“We are seeing time and time again, the financial pressures that many businesses right across the state are facing, especially in regional Victoria.
“When you think of this broadly speaking, that is 350 businesses across the state a day.
“Out of this figure, more than 3,000 have moved interstate. This is alarming and must change.”
