Prenzler,"Government may sell Abattoirs to foreigners."
30th October 1998
Dr Peter Prenzler, State Member for Lockyer, says job losses are inevitable in the meat processing industry if the State government pushes ahead with plans to exit the industry by 30th November 2000.
A brochure published by the Queensland Government titled 'Queensland Meat Processing -The Way Ahead', slams the previous Government for its 'do nothing approach' and confirms that the Government will exit the meat processing industry and presumably sell the Queensland Abattoir Corporation's five sites.
"One Nation is against the sale of these assets", Mr Prenzler said, "but if they have to be sold, I want an assurance from the Labor government that these facilities will remain Australian owned, and preferably, Queensland owned and operated. I am also worried about the impact of job losses in and around my electorate.
With about 80% of the Queensland meat processing industry being in hands of foreigners such as U.S multinational ConAgra, it is crucial that we maintain Australian ownership of the rest of the industry to provide some real competition" said Mr Prenzler.
"the Churchill facility is the largest supplier of mutton and lamb to the Brisbane metropolitan market. Should this close, then we may be forced to import these meats from the southern states.
"In addition to the sale of five abattoirs, the government is providing $20 million in industry support over the next three years. This is good, but we want to see the money going to small Australian and family companies, as per our primary industry policy, and not to multinationals like ConAgra.
Instead of the 'do nothing approach' of the last government, the Beatty Labor government is going to sell the industry out. 'The way ahead' will see many people lose their jobs and go backwards" Mr Prenzler said.
"In the next session of Parliament I and my colleagues will interrogate the Government thoroughly to find out exactly what they're up to."