SUPERMARKET chiefs took to Albury’s Dean Street on Wednesday night to protest against the NSW government’s drink container refund scheme.
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The heads of IGAs at East Albury, Corowa, Norris Park and Springdale Heights held a banner, while standing on the median strip, stating ‘We are….collateral damage’.
Their protest was aimed at the NSW government and was designed to grab the attention of MPs and premier Gladys Berejiklian attending a function at the Public House.
It worked, with Ms Berejiklian, having got the nod from her security officer, walking across the road from the footpath outside the hotel.
Joined by member for Albury Greg Aplin, Ms Berejiklian acknowledged the concerns of the grocers who fear losing business due to the scheme forcing up prices but not applying in Victoria.
“We’re monitoring everything,” Ms Berejiklian told the group.
“We want to let you know that Greg has been over and above, he rocked the boat a bit which is a good thing, but we’re keeping a close eye on it.”
East Albury and Springdale Heights IGA owner Bob Mathews told Ms Berejiklian “we’re worried about going broke”.
The Liberal Party leader then made a promise to the grocers, who also included Gary Evans (Norris Park) and Craig Waldron (Corowa).
“Can I make a commitment to you guys?” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We’ve already got the cross border commissioner on to it, so we’re going to monitor things really closely.
“If there is any other support you need, the small business commissioner if she hasn’t already been down here to talk to each of you we’ll make sure she does.”
Ms Berejiklian’s pledges follow Mr Aplin blasting the implementation of the scheme in a letter to his colleague, Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton.
“It is impossible ‘sell’ to the border community in its current form and will only add to the general woes wrought on the electorate by flawed and forced council mergers and shocking reversals of service levels and consumer information for the Albury Railway Station,” Mr Aplin wrote.
Earlier on Wednesday at Corowa The Border Mail asked Ms Berejiklian if she planned to speak to Victorian premier Daniel Andrews to convince him of the merits of introducing such a scheme in his state.
She did not answer the question directly, instead talking up the scheme in general and ending her reply by saying “I’m looking forward to the rollout”.
