The Queensland Party is proposing a “Buy 100% QLD” campaign to assist struggling farmers battling to cope with the effects of the flood.
“The best way to help the rural sector is to tap into the goodwill seen across our state in the last few weeks – Queenslanders have shown they want to help and now is the time to provide consumers with information that will let them know where their groceries are grown,” says Aidan McLindon, Leader of The Queensland Party.
The campaign would be similar to the “Australian Made” program, with Queensland farmers able to advertise under a banner that would be easily recognisable.
“Whether it’s ‘Buy QLD’, ‘Proudly QLD’, ‘QLD Made’, ‘Support a Queenslander’, ‘Produced in QLD’ or ‘Made in QLD’, a campaign giving hope to Queensland’s business and industry sector must get underway immediately.”
“It is all well and good to ask the big retailers to support the Queensland farmer, but the government needs to back this up by actively pursuing a “Buy 100% QLD” campaign, otherwise it is simply an empty gesture.”
“It would be better for the Queensland Government to fund the peak agricultural and funding bodies to develop a ‘Buy 100% QLD’ program. It would make it much easier for consumers to support Queensland farmers if they could see a little Queensland sticker on their apples and oranges as they shop.”
“The floods might have devastated parts of Queensland but they have certainly shown that our spirit is stronger than ever, and this is just the type of program that will ensure Queensland continues to be positive in the face of disaster.”
Candidate for Barron River, Wendy Richardson and candidate for Cairns, D.J.Hunt, have welcomed the announcement and the positive impacts it will have for the Far North.
Ms Richardson said “We have seen firsthand the impacts on farmers and the economy in the Far North that floods and big chain supermarket buying practices has had. Farmers that were already struggling will be further pushed to breaking point if the big supermarkets rush to bring in imported fruit and vegetables, when the Tablelands and surrounding areas can meet these needs.”
Mr Hunt added “This initiative provides an opportunity for supermarkets and consumers to take real action to support Queenslanders. Not everyone can afford to give money to benefit concerts and telethons. But if they can contribute just by purchasing groceries that they need anyway, a lot of people will be able to take that step to help support their fellow Queenslanders. Supermarkets could set up their products where the Queensland produced items are showcased together and let consumers decide.”
Mr McLindon added that regardless of whether the “Buy 100% QLD” campaign was acted upon now, The Queensland Party would take it to the next election as a policy to strengthen industry and business in the state.
“These floods have made it perfectly clear that Queenslanders have a strong sense of pride and devotion to their state. While we are in a position to take advantage of international trade relationships, Queenslanders also like to know that there is strong industry in the state – there is a large part in all of us that likes buying things designed, made, grown or invented in Queensland.”
“More than ever, our farmers across the state need hope, and if the government can initiate a “Buy 100% QLD” campaign it will give those who have lost everything a stronger will to get back on their feet”.
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