Australian Greens Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice, has commented on Murray Goulburn’s announcement of the closure of three dairy processors in regional Victoria and Tasmania, and the end of its clawback loan repayment scheme today.
“Murray Goulburn’s latest announcements will be met with mixed feeling by the Victorian and Tasmanian dairy community today,” Senator Rice said.
“For milk processor workers and communities in Rochester and Kiewa in Victoria, and Edith Creek in Tasmania, the announced closure of three milk processing plants is a huge blow. The layoff of potentially 360 workers by early-2019 will be absolutely devastating for those communities.
“Today’s announcement comes after the ACCC’s recent allegations that Murray Goulburn engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations to farmers last year about the 2015-16 farm gate milk price.
“However we welcome the ending of the Milk Supply Support Package repayments, with many farmers breathing a sigh of relief.
“The milk payment clawback is a program that should never have happened in the first place and we support the proposed refunding and closure of the scheme by Murray Goulburn.
“It is now up to Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to work with and support affected communities, farmers and workers to weather this next chapter in the dairy industry crisis,” said Senator Rice.
Australian Greens Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice
