Shafted Tobacco Growers Won't Get Zippo

Source from:  Friday 27 October 2006 qbr.com.au 10/30/2006

The Australian Government is providing up to $40.9 million to assist tobacco growers move into alternative business activities and away from the increasingly denigrated crop. Federal Minister for Agriculture Peter McGauran said up to $23.2 million of the funding would be provided to former tobacco growers in northern Queensland following the cancellation of their growing licences in 2004 by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). "Up to $16.8 million will be provided to Victorian growers, and up to $900,000 to southern Queensland growers, if this afternoon, the Tobacco Co-operative of Victoria (TCV) votes to exit the industry," McGauran says. "These grants will be capped at $150,000 per grower. The Victorian growers have been advised by British American Tobacco (BAT), their major buyer, that it will not be purchasing any more of their tobacco after 2009." McGauran says the north Queensland growers had their growing licences cancelled following the withdrawal of manufacturers in Queensland. "Today's funding will boost confidence in the many rural and regional communities that have traditionally been dependent on the tobacco growing industry. It will also complement other Australian Government initiatives to reduce the trade in illegal tobacco, known as chop-chop." Centrelink will write to tobacco growers to invite a claim for the restructure grant. Any tobacco growers who believe they may be eligible and have not been contacted by mid December 2006 should contact Centrelink. Claims need to be lodged by 31 January 2007. Enquiries should be made on 1800 050 585. Enditem