Labor candidate for Bega Leanne Atkinson says, if elected, her party will use all means available to claw back the $3.3 million invested in Australia’s Oyster Coast.
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Ms Atkinson’s comments follow those of opposition leader Luke Foley, who said the investment in AOC by the NSW Government should never have been made.
“It is inequitable and unfair and puts local businesses at a serious disadvantage,” Mr Foley said on September 17.
Australia’s Oyster Coast members earlier this month defended the investment, but Ms Atkinson said she questioned claims of “arm’s length” decision making, given Bega MP Andrew Constance and Deputy Premier John Barilaro were present at the announcement “taking a photo opportunity and spruiking the benefits to industry”.
“If they were at arm’s length, they wouldn't be involved in such an announcement.”
Mr Constance has said the Labor leader was grandstanding and too gutless to meet with the region’s growers.
However, Ms Atkinson said she had spoken to a number of growers who told her the Bega MP had not consulted them in the lead-up to the announcement.
“I am really disappointed Mr Constance has not spoken with the industry more broadly, and understood the ramifications of investing government money in a single business,” she said.
“If we can retrieve money back from that investment, Labor would consult across the industry, to hear what they want and what they need for their industry to flourish.
“We want to find out from the growers themselves the best way to benefit the entire industry.”