In a media release issued today NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said "A Foley Labor government will back oyster growers on the South Coast and sell the State Government’s $3.3 million stake in an oyster company.
"If elected in March 2019 NSW Labor will end the conflict of interest and sell the ownership interest in Australia’s Oyster Coast, which was acquired by the Berejiklian-Barilaro government in May.
Mr Foley said that the move by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister Andrew Constance to use taxpayer funds to invest in a single company above many others – and one chaired by a Liberal Party luminary, David Trebeck – has outraged oyster growers along the NSW South Coast. “This investment should never have been made. It is inequitable and unfair and puts local businesses at a serious disadvantage. Labor will divest the State’s stake in this company as soon as practically possible." NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley
"Local member and cabinet minister Andrew Constance has let down local oyster growers by playing favourites with this investment.
"Local oyster producers have said it creates an uneven playing field in the oyster industry and likely breaches the Government’s own guidelines on the “competitive neutrality” of the state.
"It creates an obvious conflict of interest.
"Labor’s Shadow for Primary Industries Mick Veitch MLC and Country Labor’s candidate for the seat of Bega, Leanne Atkinson have been listening to the concerns of some of the estimated 300 oyster farmers on the NSW coast," Mr Foley concluded. "I spoke to oyster growers who are angry with Andrew Constance. They don't believe he has been listening. Labor will sort this out to ensure equity and transparency are returned across the industry."added Country Labor candidate for Bega Leanne Atkinson
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