Over the Fence - District News Reports

48 ‘no’ votes needed
Tobacco offer becomes harder to refuse
BY BRAD WORRALL

A TWO-thirds majority is all that is now needed to get the $10 million tobacco growers’ buy-out package over the line. – full story...

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Criminals want $10m deal axed
Thugs threatening growers to save chop chop
Written by JEFF ZEUSCHNER. (Chronicle)

CRIMINAL thugs and black market tobacco growers are threatening other North East growers in a bid to have a $10 million offer to end the Australian industry rejected, according to Sophie Mirabella (MHR, Indi).

Mrs Mirabella said she had heard of threats and intimidation against local growers in the lead-up to their October 26 meeting, at which all 137 Tobacco Co-operative of Victoria shareholders will vote on whether or not to accept British American Tobacco Australasia’s (BATA) bid to buy-out its existing two year contract.

BATA is not renewing any further contract, and a yes vote would effectively prevent another tobacco crop being grown in Australia’s remaining producing regions of the King, Alpine and Kiewa valleys.

"I absolutely have concerns an unsavory element is bringing pressure on growers and could undermine the vote," Mrs Mirabella said.

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