LABOR QUASHES NORCO RETURN

The Minns Labor Government has turned its back on local dairy farmers by again refusing to return NORCO to the North and Mid-North Coast health contract.

The NSW Nationals highlighted the issue on the floor of Parliament last night, forcing a public interest debate after the co-op was abruptly dumped in August.

The motion called on the Government to go back on its decision, but Labor used its numbers to have any mention of a reversal removed.

Shadow Minister for the North Coast Gurmesh Singh said it means NORCO milk won’t be returned to local hospitals any time soon. 

“NORCO is to Lismore what the Big Banana is to Coffs Harbour and the Harbour Bridge is to Sydney,” Mr Singh said.

“By not supporting the region's most iconic farmer-owned cooperative, the Minns Labor Government is sending very mixed signals to those recovering from the devastating floods.”

Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said the Government needs to do the right thing.

“Doctors, nurses, unions, patients, farmers and the wider community are united in saying that this decision is not in the best interests of the Northern Rivers,” Mr Williamson said.

“The Minns Sydney Government should step up in a bipartisan way and simply overturn this decision. It happened before and should happen again.”

Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said supporting local dairy means supporting sustainability, with fewer emissions and less wear and tear on our roads.

"The carbon cost of trucking milk from Victoria, to a processing plant in Brisbane and back to NSW is outrageous and would be the ultimate hypocrisy possible,” Mr Kemp said.

"The Minns Labor Government claims to back companies in NSW with its local content policies but it's actions tell a different story." 

"These are not just faceless farmers, they are our neighbours, our friends, and the backbone of our regional economy.”

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