Cadbury: Andrew Wilkie’s bitter disappointment

A STATEMENT ON THE CADBURY DECISION TO ABANDON THE CLAREMONT TOURISM CENTRE

I’m sure I speak for a great many Tasmanians when I express my bitter disappointment at the decision by Cadbury to withdraw its application for $16m of federal funding to construct a new visitor centre at its Claremont chocolate factory.

The centre would have been a significant boost to the local building industry, a wonderful tourist attraction and an ongoing employment opportunity for the local community.

In the first instance this is strictly a commercial decision by the company. But relevant is that Cadbury judged the Government’s funding criteria too onerous, which does call into question the Government’s interest in progressing this matter.

More broadly though, and every bit as importantly, is the fact that this money was a Liberal Party election promise as much to do with providing an economic stimulus for the local economy, as it was a grant for a particular business.

The Federal Government must deliver on that promise and immediately commit to provide that $16m for appropriate economic stimulus projects in the Denison electorate, and in the Glenorchy City Council area in particular. To do otherwise will make this another broken promise and terrible betrayal of the community.

While today’s news is disappointing I do acknowledge and appreciate that Cadbury has committed to maintain its manufacturing facility in Claremont. The company has invested $100m in the plant over the past five years, including $20m this year alone.
Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Denison