Rodney Stevens
The Minns NSW Labor Government slammed the door on Norco being reinstated as a supplier to NSW Health on the North and Mid-North Coast in parliament last week, despite a previous NSW government decision to dump the 100 per-cent farmer owned co-operative being reversed.
When the issue was raised in parliament last Wednesday night, a public interest debate erupted where a motion was put forward by the NSW Nationals calling on the Minns Government to reverse its decision.
But Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson said the Labor party used their numbers in parliament to have any mention of a reversal of the decision to award Dairy Farmers the contract over Norco removed.
This comes after local farmers and outraged locals, the Health Services Union and patients hit back at the NSW Coalition Government in 2018, when Norco was dumped as supplier to 15 NSW north coast health facilities, forcing then Health Minister, Brad Hazzard to review his decision “in light of the impact on the community”.
In May 2018, Mr Hazzard announced Norco had been reinstated as the supplier to the 15 northern NSW health facilities and the contract then awarded to Dairy Farmers would not continue.
Mr Williamson said it was time for the government to again 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.”
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.”
On August 26, an online petition was launched by Mr Williamson, Mr Singh and local famers calling on the government to reinstate Norco as the supplier to NSW Health facilities from the Queensland border to Port Macquarie.
Titles “Community Petition to Restore Norco Milk in North Coast Health Facilities,” the petition emphasises the significant impact of the NSW Government’s decision on local farmers and communities and urges the Minns Labor Government to reverse its decision to remove Norco Milk from North Coast health facilities.
“Norco is more than just a brand; it represents the livelihoods of 191 farming families who rely on this Lismore-based cooperative,” the MPs said.
“The removal of this contract could lead to serious consequences, including potential job losses and reduced income for these families.”
When Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan heard about the debate in NSW parliament last week, he urged people to keep the pressure on Labor by signing the petition.
“Labor voted down reinstating Norco milk in our local hospitals yesterday,” Mr Hogan said.
“This is an outrageous betrayal of our local farmers and the workers at Norco.
“This could have real consequences, including job losses and reduced income, for the 191 farming families and the hundreds who work for our local co-operative.
“Norco has been the long-standing milk supplier for health facilities from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie.”
A NSW Legislative Assembly e-petition, that closes on November 15, was also launched on the Parliament of NSW website by Lismore Labor identity Harper Dalton-Earls, which had attracted 2521 signatures last week.
To sign the Nationals Community Petition to Restore Norco Milk in North Coast Health Facilities visit http://savenorcomilk.com.au
To sign the NSW Legislative Assembly e-petition visit https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=wYl80B5tbRJWRAeSf2jbTQ