Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has revealed his annoyance that the sugar-producing state does not have a large chocolate factory.
Concerned about the future of Queensland’s beleaguered sugar industry, Beattie is of the opinion that it does not make sense that Cadbury Schweppes’ Australian unit is based in Tasmania when Queensland produces 95% of Australia’s raw sugar. Beattie has said he will try to encourage as much investment in Queensland’s chocolate industry as possible.
An A$150m (US$82.2m) rescue package has been announced for the state’s ailing sugar industry. Beattie has given his encouragement for some of the package’s diversification provisions to be used for sugar producers to diversify to chocolate production, reported the Australian Financial Review.
