Prime Minister’s accolades for Cressy-based business

LYONS Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson today welcomed more national recognition for Cressy-based Tasmanian Quality Meats. Prime Minister Tony Abbott this week talked up achievements of Tasmanian Quality Meats at a national business council anniversary dinner, in Sydney.

Mr Abbott was the key note speaker at the Business Council of Australia’s 30 th anniversary dinner on Wednesday night. Tasmanian Quality Meats was one of a handful of businesses Australia-wide to get a special mention from Mr Abbott as among the finalists in Austrade’s export awards late last month.

The Cressy-based, family-owned business took out the top gong for the most successful regional exporter at the national awards, adding to its fast-growing reputation as a Tasmanian regional success story.

The business was founded in 1997 by current directors Brian Oliver and John Talbot who initially processed Tasmanian quality lamb, mutton and veal for the domestic market then grew the business to fill export markets in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain and Vietnam.

Its workforce has grown from 20 in 2011 to more than 75 and there have been four major plant upgrades in the past 15 years. Mr Abbott said on Wednesday night that Tasmanian Quality Meats had grown from nothing to $12 million a year in export sales to new markets in the Middle East, tripling its workforce along the way and bringing prosperity and economic activity to a small Tasmanian town.

Lyons Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson said that the Cressy business deserved the recognition. “Brian Oliver and John Talbot are among a rare breed of Tasmanian rural businessmen who have worked hard and achieved success in a difficult economic climate,’’ Mr Hutchinson said. “We are determined to provide the support necessary to encourage more businesses like this to succeed in the future to build the state’s economic base to make Tasmania financially sustainable.’’
Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson