[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - Greens challenge Tas Liberals to back growers over possible Coles sale

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday, 23 August 2006

Greens challenge Tas Liberals to back growers over possible Coles sale

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne today challenged federal
Tasmanian Liberal MPs and senators to declare whether they would support
local growers worried about the possible sale of Coles to a foreign
owner.

Senator Milne said the Greens were on record calling for Coles to stay
in Australian ownership.

"Australian vegetable growers are rightly worried that if a foreign
buyer takes over Coles they might prefer to stock cheaper overseas
produce rather than Australian produce," Senator Milne said in Hobart. 

"This would have serious economic and social ramifications for Tasmania,
given the importance of Coles as a major buyer of the state's produce.

"Australian growers can't compete with imported produce grown in
conditions with few if any environmental controls, low wages and poor
working conditions.

"The federal Tasmanian Liberals were very vocal in backing the state's
growers last year in their bid for better food labelling laws but the
Liberals failed when it came to strengthening regulations.

"The Greens are also concerned about the future of the 165,000 employees
under a foreign owner who might look for savings after outlaying
billions to buy the company.

"The federal government has the power to ensure that Coles remains an
Australian-owned company.

"Where will the federal Tasmanian Liberal MPs and senators stand this
time? Will they back our local growers with action and tell Treasurer
Peter Costello that a foreign buyout of Coles is not in the national or
state interest?"


Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562

Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au