Milk Price War
Echo 31 August 00
I wish to advise all residents that the Lismore electorate office has
relocated to the corner of Carrington and Conway Streets, opposite Australia
Post Office, Lismore. The new office is on ground level with a ramp access,
which I hope will enable easier access for the elderly and disabled. I welcome
constituents to the new office and trust that you feel free to call in or
contact me if I can be of assistance in any way.
Milk Price War
In Parliament recently, George Souris, Leader of the National Party called
on the House to:
Note dairy farmers are struggling to stay financially viable under the
Carr Government's deregulation of the industry;
Note that the milk price war commenced in the supermarket chains is likely
to impact severely on farmers
Note that the supermarkets' actions further endangers jobs in rural and
regional NSW;
Urge the Carr Government to immediately establish the Committee to
investigate the impacts of dairy deregulation on the NSW dairy industry, as
promised in writing to the National and Liberal Parties on June 29.
The immediate establishment of the Committee is essential given the milk
price war launched by the supermarket chains last week. The price war is likely
to have a devastating impact on dairy farmers and our communities.
Daylight Saving
The National Party has called on the Carr Government to give a guarantee
that there will be no further "one-off" extensions to daylight saving during its
current term. Country people have been steamrolled by the Olympics with daylight
saving commencing 2 months earlier this year rather than the usual last Sunday
in October.
Cattle Tick Meeting
Last week I convened an urgent public meeting to discuss the position and
the future of tick control by NSW Agriculture and producers. The meeting was
organised because there were many conflicting reports and ideas on what is
happening and what should be happening with tick control. The aim of the meeting
was to enable a responsible decision to be made in relation to the control of
ticks in the future and by whom. Many local producers attended the meeting that
was addressed by Mr Geoff File, Director General NSW Agriculture. The meeting
resolved to call on the Minister Amery for a full moratorium with an interim
Committee elected to present the concerns to him.
New MLC representative
Congratulations to the Mayor of Inverell, Mr Rick Colless, an agricultural
consultant from Inverell has been selected from a field of 12 candidates as the
newest member of the NSW Legislative Council. Mr Colless who is currently mayor
of Inverell Shire replaces Mr Richard Bull who retired after a 16-year career.
Olympic Torch Relay
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with all the runners in Casino and then
participate in the official proceedings of the Olympic Torch Relay in Lismore.
Considerable effort with local committees has undertaken with some very unique
and spectacular events planned. Media interest in the torch relay is extensive
and provided many communities the opportunity to show off their towns to the
rest of the world. My congratulations goes to Councils, volunteers and the many
people involved in making this event memorable.
