QLD: Last Nth Qld tobacco sale a time for memories and politics

AAP General News (Australia)
02-20-2004
QLD: Last Nth Qld tobacco sale a time for memories and politics

By Lloyd Jones

CAIRNS, Feb 20 AAP - The last tobacco sale in north Queensland today was a chance for
bale-top attacks on government deregulation policy and for old industry hands to take
in the aroma once more.

The sale in Mareeba saw the last 1,000 bales from growers on the Atherton Tablelands
consigned to the cigarette manufacturers.

John Parker, former manager of the sales for the North Queensland Tobacco Growers'
Co-op, today joined growers and buyers inspecting the large golden leaves laid across
the bale …