Fed: Govt should announce sugar package response: O'Brien

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Fed: Govt should announce sugar package response: O'Brien

Labor says the federal government must immediately announce a package to help the nation'ssugar growers.

Opposition primary industries spokesman KERRY O'BRIEN says the government has to domore than its last pre-election commitment to the industry.

Sugar industry leaders will put their request for a $150 million rescue package toPrime Minister JOHN HOWARD during a meeting in Cairns today.

The industry has suffered from low prices and disease in recent years, although itdid win a $60 million assistance package two years ago.

A report into the industry has criticised its representative groups, and called forthe merger of smaller farms to cut costs.

Senator O'BRIEN says without giving the industry help, the government will prove itsinitial $60 million package was just a pre-election ploy

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KEYWORD: SUGAR ALP (CANBERRA)