FRESH from eating a raw Tasmanian onion, Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday backed up to promote another State product – milk.
In Burnie for the annual Pollie Pedal, Mr Abbott dropped in briefly on the DairyTas annual conference.
Urged on by the federal Member for Braddon Brett Whiteley, he was offered a glass of Tasmanian milk.
“I was thinking, at this time of the night, someone might have given me something a bit stronger - I am presuming there is a bit of rum in this,” Mr Abbott said.
“But whatever is in there it will taste fantastic, because it is fresh, it is natural and it is Tasmanian.”
He also joked that when he was told he was going to the conference, he half expected to have to drink the milk direct from the cow.
Tasmania’s “clean, green produce,” was going to be an important part of Australia’s dynamic economic future, he told guests before the awards dinner.
“I hope you think we are not just all words; we got rid of the carbon tax, and I know for a dairy farmer, the carbon tax was costing something like $10,000 a year.”
Mr Abbott said the federal government had committed $60 million to irrigation and also extended the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to exports.
“This is a very important recognition of our hope to turn Tasmania into an economic powerhouse,” he said.
Free trade deals with China, Japan and Korea – and a lower dollar – meant exporters were now uniquely placed to take advantage of export markets.
“Tasmania produces almost 10 per cent of Australia’s dairy products, I know you have only got three per cent of Australia’s people, so some of this dairy produce is going overseas.
“Hopefully, in months and years to come, a lot more will go overseas, because you will be more competitive and you will have better markets.”
