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Babinda is one of the North Queensland towns trying to cope with the severe
downturn in sugar prices
and the damaging effects of cyclone Winifred.
This week the Premier and Cabinet Ministers went to Bwibinda,
announced a package of relief measures,
and met first-hand those most affected.
Country Cabinet meetings in the likes of Bwibinda
are part of the State Government's policy of taking government to the people.
The people respond. They are appreciative.
They know that we are interested, we know that...
they know that we are concerned about their welfare,
and that's what it's all about, I suppose, anytime, any Cabinet meeting,
but more so this time.
And these poor people and many others,
others right throughout Queensland are, in effect,
standing with their backs to the wall, fighting desperately.
The banks must give them a break.
They must get their interest rates lower down.
They must, of course, not sell any of these people
in their need, hour of need.
I think they will, from my talks with the banks.
They've got to give a breathing space in paying their interest.
The State Government agrees the sugar industry needs urgent financial assistance.
In Queensland alone, 6,200 farmers are in desperate need.
Cyclone Winifred further damaged the ailing industry.
Cabinet met in the boardroom of the Bwibinda mill,
the district's major employer.
Premier, I've got two here and I'm watching them start.
At meetings end, the Premier announced an assistance package
which would expose the State Government to spending $170 million over three years
to assist millers and growers,
conditional on the Federal Government providing price support.
Business people, to help the small business people,
loans of up to $25,000 and up to $100,000 where necessary,
for small business people to help them survive.
The State Government's intended relief measures were spelled out in detail
to Bwibinda people who crammed the town's memorial hall.
But in the last three years, this State Government in Queensland, under me,
have advanced $72 million into the assistance and support of the sugar industry.
Nothing to do with dams or anything of that nature,
but straight out assistance to the sugar industry.
Against our 72, they've put in 10 millions.
These are cold, hard facts that nobody can get around them.
We've put 72, as I've said all the time,
if anybody's helping the sugar industry, it's the Queensland Government.
We're closer to you, sure,
but they collect your taxes, about 7, 800 million through the sugar industry
and associated industries.
But from our part, we're conscious, we're part of you,
you're part of us, part of our Government.
We do play our part and we're going to continue to play our part.
There's no question. I said to the mill,
Bwibinda mill people, you start, we'll make sure you continue,
whether it's by grant or guarantee, subsidy,
you start and we'll look after you.
And that's the attitude we've adopted.
Even though Canberra's far away and we're forgotten
and not remembered, obviously, that's the sad part.
Cabinet ministers made themselves available for anyone who wished to see them
and discuss the Government's package.
A constant stream of deputations thronged Bwibinda's nurses' hostel.
What we're going to do is put in 1.4 million for that first one.
It's all designed and needed to go.
The logistics of moving the Premier and the Cabinet north are impressive.
The Premier and his staff kept in touch with Brisbane
from a specially equipped train carriage stopped in a siding near the mill.
As Bwibinda and its district and other towns in the north
start about repairing the cyclone damage,
they await news of comprehensive relief for their sugar industry.
In this area, the State Government can't go it alone.
The $170 million package proposed by the State Government
is conditional on the Federal Government making financial moves as well.
Traditionally, historically, down the years, the support for the car industry,
500 million, the steel industry, Canberra pays it.
For the beef industry, for the wool industry, Canberra always pays it.
Never been asked the States, or any of the States,
other than this time they asked me in Queensland
to share a part of alleviating the debt structure that people have.
We are being singled out, and the people are suffering.
That's the terrible part.
As I said, we've put in $72 million, all I've put in is $10 million.