Book 8 - Parliament of Victoria

WRITTEN ADJOURNMENT RESPONSES
1744 COUNCIL Tuesday, 31 May 2011
You may also be aware that RVL has recently appointed Dr Brian Stewart as its new head of equine welfare and
veterinary services. This appointment is in addition to the recent appointment of an equine welfare officer to ensure
that the wellbeing of all horses is appropriately observed. These appointments add to the strong commitment of the
industry to making sure the safety of all participants, including horses, jockeys and others involved, is paramount.
SPC Ardmona: future
Raised with: Minister for Regional and Rural Development
Raised by: Ms Darveniza
Raised on: 25 May 2011
REPLY:
The Victorian government is strongly committed to supporting the food and beverage sector and, indeed, all
manufacturing across regional and rural Victoria.
The CEO of Coca Cola Amatil (CCA), Mr Terry Davis, issued a statement on 4 May 2011, regarding the impact of
a number of issues such as the higher Australian dollar, the carbon tax and private label groceries on the Australian
food manufacturing sector. Mr Davis also foreshadowed possible further restructuring at SPC Ardmona (SPC) as a
consequence of these adverse impacts.
Senior officers from Regional Development Victoria and the Department of Business and Innovation met with SPC
senior management on 9 May 2011. At this meeting Mr Vince Pinneri, managing director of SPC, reiterated SPC’s
commitment to having a presence in regional Victoria and advised that they are presently carrying out a review of
company operations, which includes utilisation of their multiple regional sites.
I have arranged to meet with CCA on 1 June 2011.