Legislative Council Tuesday 20 November, 2018

Ms  FORREST  question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

Regarding the decision of JBS Swift Australia to close the Devonport City Abattoir, will the Government ensure the $400 000 funding provided to JBS Swift for upgrades that appear not to have been undertaken be returned in full to the Government?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Murchison for her question.  The answer is as follows -

A grant of $783 200 was approved to JBS Swift Australia to assist it to complete the capital investment program at the Devonport City Abattoir.  The total amount of the grant paid to JBS was $362 279, which was invested into equipment in the plant that will now support the ongoing operation of the business under TQM.  The remaining grants funds have not been paid to JBS Swift Australia.  These funds remain available to support the red meat industry through the transition period as smaller abattoirs scale up and any gaps in the beef and sheep supply chain may emerge.