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Lenders Found Out On Melbourne Markets Furphy

By Philip Davis - 2nd May 2005 - Back to News

Labor’s Minister for Major Projects John Lenders has shamelessly misrepresented the views of Melbourne Market’s fruit, vegetable and flower growers, wholesalers, retailers and transporters in State Parliament to defend the Bracks Government’s plans to relocate the markets.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said John Lenders had been found out, alleging in Parliament that the market stakeholders were in "full support" of the market relocation when that was not the case.

He said John Lenders quoted a letter from the stakeholders out of context and used it to his defence in Parliament.

"John Lenders’ behavior on this issue is appalling," Mr Davis said.

"During meetings with John Lenders and his department, the growers, wholesalers, retailers and transporters made it adamantly clear that first and foremost, they did not want to relocate from the current Footscray Road site.

"But, if there was absolutely no choice and they were forced to move, the stakeholders have told John Lenders that from the three proposed sites, they would only be in favour of the Epping location."

The stakeholders have since written again to the Minister, stating:

"It is disappointing that our best endeavors to clarify our position from both meeting at the Melbourne Market, letters to State Government and media releases over the past 18 months have been misunderstood or misrepresented. Our position has always been to remain on the current site."

Mr Davis said it was astounding that even when the Bracks Government did attempt to consult, they still didn’t listen.

"It is obvious that John Lenders has simply given these stakeholders lip-service - he has allowed them to give their point of view, but he either missed the point or purposefully twisted their comments to suit him," he said.

"All of the market representative groups have said they don’t want to move. But they realise that if the Bracks Government forces them to move, they would prefer the proposed Epping site to any other proposal."

The stakeholders stated in their letter to John Lenders: "We indicated that of the three proposed options for a new location, north of Melbourne was the alternative choice to the market remaining at Footscray. We would affirm that we wish to stay at the present site for the foreseeable future."

Mr Davis said one haulage company had calculated that a relocation to Werribee would cost them an extra $2500 a day in travel and wages, which will have to be passed on to the growers and consumers.

"Rather than twisting the truth, John Lenders along with the Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron, needs to start listening to the growers, wholesalers, retailers and transporters to ensure the final decision will benefit the fresh food industry," he said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com