Susanna Freymark
The end goal is for Norco milk to be supplied to North Coast hospitals as was the case before a recent decision was made to change to another supplier.
An e-petition hoping to get 20,000 signatures to restore the Norco milk supply was launched by State MP Janelle Saffin.
Then three Nationals MPs launched another e-petition with the same goal.
“We need 20,000 signatures to get this issue debated on the floor of parliament and that is powerful,” Ms Saffin said.
“To have two separate petitions in circulation is already leading to confusion in the community and effectively weakens our chances of getting the required number of signatures.”
Ms Saffin said the same thing happened when the Nationals were in government.
“We all backed the then local member Thomas George and the Health Services Union ran a big campaign, fully supported by the community and after some time, people power changed the decision of the then bureaucracy,” she said.
“It is people power we need this time as well to support our local Norco employees and dairy farmer suppliers who are part and parcel of the Norco dairy co-operative.
Ms Saffin blames bureaucracy for the recent Norco supply decision and she expects the Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park to work out a way to fix it.
State MP Richie Williamson first highlighted the Norco issue on August 21. He is one of the National MPs, Ms Saffin is referring to.
IndyNR.com has asked his office for a comment.
Here is his response.
“I appreciate Janelle Saffin’s dedication to advocating for Norco and our local dairy farmers, but I must clarify a few points,” Mr Williamson said.
“I became aware of an e-petition to parliament lodged by a Lismore local government candidate on the weekend, well after arrangements for a farmer and community-led petition were already well underway.
“My colleagues and I are committed to addressing this issue promptly and effectively. We will be raising the matter in Parliament during the next sitting week, with the hope that the Government will reconsider its decision before then. Given the urgency of this situation, we need to explore every avenue available to ensure a swift resolution for Norco and our community.”
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