Minister to reconsider Lismore butcher hospital contract

Local MPs have spoken of their frustration with a NSW Health decision to abandon a long-standing meat supply agreement with Lismore business Hutley Butchers.

Nationals Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has issued a media release expressing disgust with the decision under a Labor state government against renewing a contract with the butcher and the local health district.

It’s understood the contract was not written and that the government officials introduced a written version but Mr Hutley says he never saw it.

Labor State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has also issued a statement decrying the change.

NSW health minister to ‘consider’ contract reconsideration

‘I am not happy with any of this at all,’ Ms Saffin’s statement ended.

The local member said she had ‘strongly requested direct to the NSW Health Minister to see if he can help’.

‘He said he would consider it and I met him again,’ Ms Saffin said ‘and he is trying’.

‘I said we need a timely response.

‘I have also sent this imbroglio to the Minister for Procurement to ask to consider that local smaller suppliers do not get squeezed out.’

No local milk, no local meat… what next?

Hutley’s local supply contract loss comes after the Northern Rivers dairy co-operative, Norco, lost its longstanding agreement for milk supply.

Mr Hogan said the latest cancellation would have ‘serious flow on affects for this business, our local meat workers, and beef farming families’.

‘Hutley’s have been a family-owned and operated business in our community for 144 years, and this decision will have a massive impact,’ Mr Hogan said.

‘It is another kick in the guts to a business who just reinvested in our town, spending a lot of money to reopen after the floods,’ he said.

‘We now have no local milk, no local meat… who’s next?

‘Labor doesn’t get or care about our regional communities.’