Fed: Sugar package doesn't meet all demands: PM

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2004
Fed: Sugar package doesn't meet all demands: PM

EDS: Reissuing, clarifying slug



SYDNEY, April 27 AAP - The government understood canegrowers did not want to leave
the sugar industry but it was unable to meet all their demands, Prime Minister John Howard
said today.

He is soon expected to unveil a package for sugar farmers offering payments for them
to quit the business.

He is expected to announce the measures during a tour of Queensland marginal seats this week.

"We recognise that a lot of people don't want to leave the industry," Mr Howard told Radio 2GB.

"The great majority, they just want the opportunity to make a fair living.

"The package will be designed more to help them than anybody else."

Mr Howard refused to detail elements of the package but acknowledged it did not meet
the requests he received from canegrowers, millers and the Sugar Industry Reform Committee
when he was in Cairns recently.

"We have spoken to a lot of people and there are elements in this package that reflect
the views of those three groups," Mr Howard said.

"Not all of them in each case, and I made it very plain when I was in Cairns that we
would not be able to meet all of the requests that had been made, but I do think that
we have got a package that's fair to them and also fair to the Australian taxpayer.

"I think it will be seen by people as being a very fair and detailed and generous response
to a very difficult issue."

AAP sal/maur/br

KEYWORD: SUGAR HOWARD (REISSUING)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.