18.2 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Govt attacks Woolworths after it cans SPC deal

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Zoom meeting

Just to clarify the report that Michael Lyon now declares ‘no’ to developing Ann St and New City Road....

Dynamic, rustic yet polished

Animal Ventura is the brainchild of Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Fernando Aragones. Growing up playing punk and reggae in noisy garage bands in Southern Brazil, Aragones ventured to Australia where the eclectic sounds of the Sydney music scene beckoned.

State of confusion

If any of you watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, you would know that it was a...

Save Wallum finalist in NSW 2024 environment awards

The Save Wallum campaign has been named as a finalist in the Nature Conservation Council of NSW Environment Awards 2024. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney tonight, and Save Wallum spokesperson and ecologist James Barrie will be attending with Tegan Kitt, another founding member of the group.

A seasoned bard

Guy Kachel had an idyllic entry to the world of music. Born in Tamworth, he was raised on the banks of the Peel River. The landscape was a fertile ground for his imagination. Seeing this rustic world change, as Tamworth developed into an inland city and friends grew to sometimes troubled adulthoods, provided insights for the artistry that later powered his career as a performer.

The government has attacked Woolworths for dumping a five-year agreement for SPC to supply its home brand tomatoes two years in. Photo ABC
The government has attacked Woolworths for dumping a five-year agreement for SPC to supply its home brand tomatoes two years in. Photo ABC

The federal government has slammed supermarket giant Woolworths for reneging on a deal with SPC/Ardmona to supply its home brand tomatoes just two years into the five-year arrangement.

Deputy Nationals leader and regional development minister Fiona Nash has called on Woolworths to honour the deal with the Australian-owned cannery.

‘Woolworths was happy to cash in on the good publicity when it announced a five-year, $70 million deal with SPC when national attention was focused on the issue. Woolworths said its sales of tinned fruit increased 48 per cent when it switched to SPC.

‘Now we learn Woolworths has already dumped SPC as a tinned tomato supplier for its Woolworths brand and we read the supermarket is in talks with SPC over the future of supplying other lines to the supermarket.

‘Woolworths should honour its word.

‘As Regional Development Minister I often say businesses and country communities need certainty. Promising a five-year deal and then reviewing it or ripping it up midway through destroys certainty. It leaves businesses and families no confidence. It plays havoc with the lives of farmers and factory families who’ve made important decisions based on Woolworths’ word.

‘The Goulburn Valley fruit grower, the cannery worker’s family and countless family businesses in Shepparton including tradies, newsagents and bakeries have all made decisions with Woolworths $70 million word in the front of their minds. To rip the rug out from under them would be appalling corporate behaviour.

‘It’s critical Woolworths keeps its promise to farmers, the Australian public, the people of Shepparton and the media.’

Woolworths had claimed in a media release its deal with SPC was a win for ‘farmers, customers and the Australian economy’

Minister Nash said buying Australian meant Australia’s clean green farmers would prosper.

‘Australia has the best food safety and environmental standards in the world. Most other countries do not have the environmental and food safety standards we have.

‘Buying Australian means clean green food for you and jobs for Australia’s regions. It means prosperous Australian farmers.’

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.