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Palaszczuk rejects bid by orchard owner to save trees
16 Jul 2004
Another 50,000 trees will be destroyed on Evergreen Farms' quarantined orchard, despite the owners' efforts to cut a deal with the Queensland Government. Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk warned Evergreen's owner, Pacific Century Production Pty Ltd, there will be no deals. He has left open the possibility that all 250,000 trees on the orchard may be destroyed.
This week, Pacific Century put forward a deal that would have given it control of the disease containment program. The company's demands were believed to include 72 hours' notice of any further action on the orchard, its own scientists involved in the official testing program and a vetting right over all public statements from the State Government. In return, authorities would be given free access to the property.
Mr Palaszczuk said yesterday he didn't even bother to look at the proposal. Our position is no deals, no short cuts and no compromises, he stated.
The Courier-Mail, 16/7/04.
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